Giving Opportunities
The Dietrich School’s programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences are among the nation’s most renowned and they need your support to soar to even greater heights. The BIG Dig (Dietrich Inspirational Gifts: Promoting Research and Scholarships Initiative) builds upon four priorities that when combined produce uniquely skilled graduates and life-changing research. Generous donors make it possible for the Dietrich School to offer robust scholarships, fellowships, endowed faculty chairs, and undergraduate research funding. The Big DIG is inspiring our most important donors to “DIG deep” and make aspirational gifts that will forever attract the best faculty and students.
“One of the unique aspects of The Big DIG is that it identifies four priorities and it gives each individual the opportunity to decide what they really have an affinity for and then “DIG deep” to make a transformational gift that will inspire others to do the same.” -Leo Wegemer (A&S '73), The Big DIG Co-Chair
Newly established endowed funds can be named to recognize the generosity of the donor. Below are the minimum giving levels for each of the funding priority areas.
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
Endowed Scholarship
$100,000
Provides partial support for one student per year, which is bundled with other sources of funding as part of the student’s aid package.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Endowed Undergraduate Research Fund
$100,000
Provides full funding for an undergraduate to engage in a faculty mentored research experience. (Endowed funds that provide partial support may be established with a minimum commitment of $25,000.)
Endowed Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Fund
$50,000
Provides unrestricted funds for undergraduates engaged in research, scholarship or creative activities, or programming or staffing that enhance the Dietrich School’s capacity to offer such opportunities.
GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS
Endowed Graduate Fellowship
$750,000
Provides funding to support an outstanding and talented graduate student in the Dietrich School. (Endowed funds that provide partial fellowship support may also be created at lower amounts.)
Graduate Student Resource Fund
$25,000
Non-tuition support for graduate students that includes research, travel, books, or other educational expenses.
FACULTY CHAIRS AND PROFESSORSHIPS
Endowed Chair
$2 million
Enables the University to attract and retain outstanding faculty members who will advance the mission of the Dietrich School through excellence in teaching and research.
Endowed Term Professorship
$1.5 million
Provides salary and/or research support for an early-career faculty member for a term suggested by the dean or department head.