Academic Program Benefits From Record-Setting Donor Investment
Photo by Dan Loh.
New Funding Unlocks Innovation in Academic Programs
Dickinson recently celebrated record-breaking donor investment in its academic program. Fiscal-year 2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) saw donors partner with the college to invest more than $13 million in support of leading-edge academic enhancements and innovation—a one-year record for the college. And this year, the momentum continues, as donors have already given over $3 million toward academic programming.
It all adds up to impressive communitywide commitment to innovation at Dickinson that strengthens students’ academic experiences, both inside and outside of class.
“With these generous gifts and commitments, we are able to expand our capacity for experiential, hands-on learning, develop even more interdisciplinary programs and continue to change to meet the needs and interests of contemporary students,” says Renée Ann Cramer P’28, provost and dean of the college.
Results of this donor investment include:
- The Burgess Institute
Established through a gift from Mark '81 and Lisa Burgess, the Burgess Institute for the Global Economy helps prepare students with any major for success in leadership and in business. Initiatives include an executive-in-residence program; new and redesigned courses; Center for Career Development staff positions with business and finance focus; site visits and enhanced career-exploration trips; active learning opportunities; seminars and workshops; and networking opportunities through Dickinson’s recently formed Finance & Business Network.
- Middle East Programmatic Enhancement Fund
Established by anonymous donors, this fund supports interdisciplinary study and teaching related to the critical Middle East region that is available to students and faculty in every department. It includes support for the development of new courses, field research, student-faculty research opportunities, themed lectures and more.
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Philosophy Fund
Established by anonymous donors, this fund will support events that benefit Dickinson’s philosophy professors and any students interested in furthering their engagement with philosophy topics. - Griffith Fund for Humanistic Teaching and Inquiry
Established through the bequest of Janda Kirk Griffith, the daughter of Dickinson graduates, this fund supports humanities education at Dickinson across a range of pedagogical and research needs, including grants that help faculty take students to field sites, performances and museums, as well as funding for students to attend conferences to showcase their work.
- Robert H. Stewart Class of 1927 Fund
Diane Stewart Fearen '52 established the Robert H. Stewart Class of 1927 Fund in memory of her father. The endowment proceeds will be used to provide support for the art & art history department.
- Dance Professional-in-Residence Fund
Gina Palmisano P’27 established this fund to provide Dickinson dance students with the opportunity to learn about diverse forms in this rapidly evolving discipline. It supports regular campus visits by dance professionals in the Northeast region. This initiative will begin this spring and will continue for five years.
- William G. '71 and Elke F. Durden Faculty Seminar Fund
This fund provides continuing support for the faculty seminar program, which spurs interdisciplinary exchange and scholarship at Dickinson. Organized by the Clarke Forum, the seminar brings together scholars from across campus to discuss compelling issues and generate new ideas and methods that faculty members can then bring back to their research, their classrooms and the community at large.
And these are only the beginning. New bequest intentions for endowed chairs and named professorships will help further teaching and learning in the study of civil rights, civil liberties and civil disobedience; in American studies; and in the liberal arts.
There is also a new fund to support the teaching and practice of engaged discourse, which may be used for faculty study groups, faculty professional development, the development and revision of courses, related experiential learning experiences for students and student peer mentorship.
Each of these new and upcoming initiatives has the potential to make meaningful differences in students’ experiences. And as Cramer notes, the spectrum of disciplines these initiatives collectively represent is also cause for celebration.
“The breadth of their impact and intent of these gifts show me that Dickinson alumni and friends of the college truly take to heart our mission of providing an interdisciplinary, innovative and useful education for the development of global citizens,” Cramer says.
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Published November 5, 2024