Staff Report
UNM's History Department has received a $100,000 endowment to attract a top-rate candidate to become a lecturer in ancient history.
Funding from the Gorham Endowed Faculty Lectureship will go toward travel expenses, research costs and professional development, said History Chairwoman Jane Slaughter.
Because one of the endowment's purposes is to pay for various expenses related to teaching, the department expects to attract a premier candidate to the position.
"By offering the endowment, we believe it will be an inducement that will enhance the pool of candidates," Slaughter said in a University news release.
The endowment, provided in part by the Frank D. Gorham Jr. and Marie K. Gorham Charitable Foundation, is the only one of its kind in the College of Arts and Sciences.
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UNM lacks resources in ancient history - a subject that is in high demand, according to the University. The lectureship, with its funds available for various associated costs, could help the department find a top-notch recruit, thereby helping meet departmental demands.
The Frank D. Gorham Jr. and Marie K. Gorham Charitable Foundation is an independent foundation with assets totaling nearly $11 million. In 2001, it was ranked by the Foundation Center as the 17th largest foundation in New Mexico.
The lectureship is also supported by Senate Bill 14, which was approved by the 45th Legislature in 2002. Under SB 14, the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education can distribute funds for various state universities to be used in improving faculty and other positions by creating endowments.
The bill states that funding for creating the endowments comes from the state treasurer's office to be used in creating professorships, chair positions and faculty development programs.
A search to fill the ancient history position will be conducted next year with a goal of hiring the new lecturer in 2005, Slaughter said.
"This is the first position we've gotten endowed, qualified for SB 14 funding," said Reed Dasenbrock, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in a University news release. "It is important that we get more of these because they help us to be competitive in hiring and retaining faculty. We are pleased to be able to put this emphasis on ancient history, an area important in undergraduate and general education."
