Thanks to a generous donation, the Texas A&M University – Commerce College of Business have established the Fullwood Family Professorship of Accounting, the first fully funded professorship within the Accounting Department.
Professor Virginia Fullwood, along with former faculty member Dr. Harry Fullwood, donated $100,000 to the college to establish this new endowed professorship. For the distinguished professor who earns this title, the endowment can contribute towards salary, related research, and library or travel expenses.
“We seek faculty endowments to attract remarkable professors because we need them here to develop the students that are entrusted to us,” said Dr. Adolfo Benavides, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Through this endowment, Professor Fulwood is creating a lasting legacy that will transform lives and help shape the College of Business at Texas A&M University-Commerce forever.”
Already a university accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Commerce is in competition with other top business schools for the best accounting professors in the country. This new professorship will help to draw top talent to the school, as obtaining an endowed professorship is considered a high honor for faculty members.
According to College Dean Dr. John Humphreys, less than five percent of all business schools in the world are accredited by AACSB, and Commerce has been a member since 1975. “As a result, though, we have to compete with some very elite schools to recruit and retain the highest quality faculty possible, and having endowed positions is crucial for us in that quest,” said Humphreys.