08.16.06

Erskine receives $700,000 in state funding toward professorship

Erskine College has been awarded a $700,000 state appropriation that will be used toward funding a full professorship in political economy and lead to the establishment of a political economy major at the school.

For Dr. Jay West, vice president for institutional relations and executive director of the Drummond Center, the appropriation by the S.C. General Assembly is the culmination of several years of hard work.

"It's been a long process," he said, "but the rewards have been great."

Dr. Donald Weatherman, executive vice president and dean of the college, says the funding is significant.

The college's most recent strategic plan included a recommendation to develop a major in political economy and the faculty approved development of the major. The original plan was to have a professor of politics in place by 2003 and a professor of economics by 2005.

Funding two professorships to establish the major is part of the Gold Campaign's goal to raise funding for the Drummond Center for Statesmanship, established at Erskine College to promote and perpetuate statesmanship in South Carolina through the encouragement of considered leadership, public service and personal excellence.

Weatherman said it costs about $1 million to endow a professorship and once the funding is raised, he'll begin the process of recruiting a professor of politics.

The first professor hired will have responsibility for Drummond Center programs, according to West.

He said a committee has been established to raise the remaining $300,000. That money has already been pledged to name the chair in honor of a well-deserving person who will be announced at the 2007 Drummond Award Banquet.

West said pledges to fund the second professorship have been secured.

"The biggest thing about this is that it expands the academic offerings of Erskine for current and more importantly, prospective students," he said.

Weatherman agreed, saying the addition of political economy major will be a "great boost" to the college and its ability to recruit students.

He said the only social science major offered by Erskine currently is psychology and that a number of prospective students look elsewhere because politics and/or economics are not offered.

Weatherman said the addition of a political economy major will give Erskine a more well-rounded academic program and strengthen an already strong liberal arts education offered by the school.

West said two legislators, Sen. Hugh Leatherman, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Glenn McConnell, president of the Senate, were instrumental in making the Erskine appropriation happen.

"Senators Leatherman and McConnell stepped up to the plate," West said. "They understood what we were trying to do – they deserve a great deal of credit."

Weatherman said the college is grateful for the efforts of all those who made the funding happen, particularly those associated with the Drummond Center.

The funding represents rewards for a job well done, West said.

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