Seeing Faculty Support Firsthand
December 6, 2018 | Angela O'Neill, IAH Director of Development
It has been just over a year since the University publicly launched For All Kind: the Campaign for Carolina, its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date. The campaign unites the campus with a meaningful vision for the future as a leading global public research university. The Campaign for Carolina takes direction from The Blueprint for Next, the University’s strategic plan.
Inside the Campaign for Carolina, I see the Institute for the Arts and Humanities (IAH) as perfectly configured among the priorities and signature initiatives set by the Chancellor. One of those priorities is to maintain and elevate Carolina’s position as a national leader in research by supporting faculty and their scholarship. Attracting, rewarding, and retaining the best professors and researchers will be critical in accomplishing this ambitious goal, and our work at the IAH – empowering faculty to achieve their full potential by creating community and cultivating leadership – will make this priority a reality.
As the director of development for the Institute, I am able to witness the dedication to faculty support and the impact that our donors have on campus firsthand, something that I am humbled by every day. Most recently, I was able to observe the final Faculty Fellowship session of the semester, whereby Fellows from six departments across the College discussed the culmination of their research over the last four months. Following the discussion, I was approached by a Fellow who shared what she was able to accomplish over the semester, and how much she wanted to thank the donor directly for the gift of time to step outside of the classroom and focus on her research. I knew her energy and renewed excitement would permeate into her teaching and mentorship of her students the following semester and beyond.
The generosity from friends of the IAH allows us to support talented faculty at all stages of their academic careers through fellowships, programs and grants. The impact of gifts to the IAH is seen across disciplines, departments, and throughout campus—and for this, I extend my gratitude. Because of you, our friends and donors, the Institute continues to retain and support Carolina’s superb teacher-scholars who are educating our next generation of leaders, thinkers and problem-solvers.
Stepping into my new role, one of my priorities is to ensure that those near and far hear about the astonishing work that is happening through the IAH. One of the best ways to do this is to see the accomplishments of our faculty firsthand. I hope you will join us on January 22, 2019 for the IAH Fellows Celebration at Hyde Hall, where we will be showcasing the work of our Fellows from books, compositions, art, films, and more. It is sure to be an invigorating event complete with food and conversation with the Fellows.
For all those who support the IAH, I sincerely thank you and hope to see you at our celebration in the new year.