Name: David Skorton
Position: UI president
Years at Iowa: 23
Beneficiaries of his gifts to the University:
A need-based presidential scholarship (The first
recipient
of this new scholarship is Suzanne Fox, pictured
above. She is a music major from Des Moines.), the
Graduate College, WSUI/KSUI, the Children’s
Miracle Network, the Women’s Resource and Action
Center (WRAC), and others.
Why he contributes: “When I came here, I did
not have a strong research background. I was really
a teacher and a clinician, and the University took
a chance with me. I got a lot of on-the-job training
here and a lot of support. The University has been
the source and the setting of my entire career, and
I feel a sense of obligation to give back to the
University in service and in support.
“I think it’s very important now to
give support in the areas of student scholarships
as well as faculty chairs and professorships. Also,
there are areas of campus that may not be considered ‘core’ activities
at the University but that set us apart as a special
place, an unusual institution of learning, discovery,
and creativity. The International Writing Program,
WRAC, and 24-7 public radio are some examples of
the kinds of things that make us unique.
“These are difficult times. Many faculty and
staff have had less-than-inflationary salary increases
for more than a year. It’s a tough time to
be able to give. Nonetheless, education—from
preschool to college to continuing education—is
the bulwark of our society. It is important to do
anything we can to support it.
“As employees, we all have benefited from
being associated with the University, and I hope
we all feel positive enough about the University
to give back. Regardless of the amount, it would
be nice if a greater proportion of faculty and staff
contributed, to show solidarity. We’ve never
needed private support more than we do now.”
To find out more about the Campus Campaign, the
faculty/staff portion of the University’s $850
million Good. Better. Best. Iowa: The Campaign to
Advance Our Great University capital campaign, see
www.uifoundation.org/campaign/campus.
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