State universities find endowed chairs bring prestige

STILLWATER — When economist Dan Rickman was weighing job options 12 years ago, there was one deciding factor.

Oklahoma State University offered him the OG&E Chair in Regional Economics, a title that brings funding and prestige. The other job offer didn't stand a chance.

Some of Rickman's salary and that of a research assistant, along with travel and book allowances, is funded with earnings from endowed money given by Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. and matched by the state.

The endowed chairs program allowed Rickman to afford an out-of-state move and brought a prominent academic to OSU.

“Quite often you can't get the people here with the typical salary that is being offered,” Rickman said. “If you are trying to upgrade your university, endowed (positions) are the way to get you the boost to keep competitive.”

Rickman is one of 101 fully funded endowed chairs and professors at OSU, a number that may more than double in coming years because of Boone Pickens' recent $100 million gift for the endowed program.

Earnings from the gift will allow OSU to secure top scientists and teachers, who in turn attract research funding and students seeking top academic programs, said Bob Miller, a microbiology professor and chairman of the OSU Faculty Council.

“Endowed chairs are looked at throughout academia as a real indication of worth, of being able to attract and have top scientists, top researchers, top scholars, and that attracts students not only by their own reputation, but also the reputation of the university,” Miller said.