Inspire Excellence With Endowed Faculty Positions
Endowed chairs and professorships allow Weber State University and the College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology (EAST) to recognize, reward, and inspire faculty excellence. These endowments are a great fit for donors who understand the importance of strategic funding in an area they care deeply about and want to see advance.
Establishing these prestigious positions shows commitment to a particular academic program or department by the university and the donor. Income from the endowment is used to support the professor or chair’s activities, which may include teaching, research, and service. Endowment funds can be used for salary supplements, research funding, travel expenses, and other professional development activities.
Endowed positions help attract and retain top-tier faculty members because they provide a level of financial security and recognition. They’re an important tool in making sure the programs in EAST evolve and advance to stay on the leading edge of the technologies they are teaching, ensuring that WSU students enter their fields ready for professional success.
EAST has opportunities for creating endowed chairs and professorships in high-priority areas.
PROFESSIONAL SALES
WSU’s professional sales program is a rare and innovative academic offering that prepares students for immediate impact in high-demand, revenue-generating roles. The program models how sales education can align closely with industry needs — particularly in technology, healthcare, and other sectors that depend on consultative, relationship-based sales professionals.
An endowed position would elevate the program’s national visibility and help retain and recruit top faculty with academic expertise and real-world experience. These funds would allow faculty to explore innovative approaches to sales education and stay current with evolving industry practices. By investing in this program, donors contribute to the long-term success of a discipline that drives business growth and student opportunity.
Endowment gift: $1.5 million
PARSON CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
The Parson Construction Management program at WSU is critical in producing skilled graduates who can contribute to one of the largest industries in the country. With the tremendous growth in the construction industry, the demand for well-educated, highly skilled construction managers is critical.
An endowed chair or professorship would play a vital role in elevating the program, enhancing the academic and practical components of the curriculum, and fostering a deeper connection with the construction industry through partnerships and collaboration. It would allow us to attract distinguished faculty, lead cutting-edge research, provide enhanced curriculum development and innovation, increase community engagement and leadership, and improve student and alumni engagement. This investment would enhance the program’s reputation, support faculty excellence, and benefit students in practical, industry-driven ways.
Endowment gift: $1.5 million
MANUFACTURING & SYSTEMS ENGINEERING
WSU’s Department of Manufacturing & Systems Engineering is training the people that are revitalizing the manufacturing ecosystem of the United States, helping to ensure manufacturing happens domestically as opposed to overseas.
An endowed chair would provide a key opportunity to collaborate with the many aerospace, defense, and manufacturing industries in Utah. This position would allow us to attract excellent faculty that could expand our outreach to new and innovative manufacturing technologies, while demonstrating our commitment to the future of manufacturing in Utah. In turn, the department will remain on the leading edge of teaching our students new technology, recruiting, and providing pathways for students throughout the state to further their education and provide graduates for
the future workforce.
Endowment gift: $1.5 million
Support students in EAST by making a gift today.
To learn more about endowing a faculty position, contact a Weber State University development director.