Endowments & Scholarships
Endowed funds are donor-established investment accounts created to offer lasting financial support to Capital University students, faculty, schools, departments and programs. Named endowments recognize a donor, area of study, or someone a donor wishes to honor in perpetuity.
Once an endowed fund’s assets reach the minimum gift level, the interest earned is used to award scholarships, lectureships, faculty chairs, academic awards and prizes, and professorships. Capital’s Board of Trustees limits the annual spending of investment income to 4.5 percent of the market value of endowment investments. Any additional earnings are reinvested in the fund to ensure future growth.
Nearly 300 endowed funds have been established at Capital University.
For more information about establishing an endowed fund or to make a gift in support of an existing fund, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 866-704-0742 or gifts@airllevant.com.
Create an Endowment
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarships are established at the $25,000 gift level. The donor determines the parameters under which the scholarship is established and named. Donors may choose to leave their scholarships "unrestricted" in order to assure that all available funds can be matched to the broadest pool of eligible students. Some donors prefer to build academic, geographic, field of study, or need restrictions into their gift agreements.
After a review of the terms and conditions of the scholarship, the Financial Aid Office selects the best-qualified student and credits the recipient’s tuition account. Depending on the financial aid packages for qualifying students and the available earnings, the scholarship may be divided between two or more individuals.
Endowed Professorships
Endowed professorships are established at the $500,000 gift level. Funds are used to recruit talented new faculty and to retain exemplary professors. Income from an endowed professorship may be used for the salary support and other expenses related to the recipient’s research and teaching.
Endowed Chairs
Endowed chairs are established at the $1,500,000 gift level. Funds are used to attract and retain distinguished professors. Income from an endowed chair may be used for the salary support and other expenses related to the chair-holder’s research and teaching.
- The Homer and Isabelle Cotterman Distinguished Endowed Chair in Education
- The Robert M. Geist Endowed Chair in Biology
- The Edward and Mary Catherine Gerhold Chair in the Humanities
- The George H. Moor Endowed Chair in Business Administration
- The Harvey and Marian Stegemoeller Endowed Chair in Computational Studies
- The Trinity Endowed Chair in Lutheran Heritage
- The Trinity Endowed Chair in Mission and Ministry
- Haueisen Distinguished Chair in Chemistry
Endowed Lectures
Endowed lectures are established at the $500,000 gift level. Income from an endowed lecture may be used for expenses related to bringing renowned leaders and scholars to campus in order to create an intellectual atmosphere in which students and faculty can interact with distinguished lecturers.
Endowed Awards
Endowed awards and prizes are established at the $10,000 gift level. The donor determines the parameters under which the award is established and named. Award recipients are usually chosen by academic or program selection committees, as established in the terms and conditions of the endowment agreement.
Other Endowed Funds
All other types of endowed funds may be established at the $25,000 gift level. Income from other types of endowments must be used to support and enhance the work of a specific department, program, project or discipline, and to support priority needs as determined by the administration, the departmental chair and the faculty.
Other Endowed Faculty Positions
The GAR Endowed Professorship in Philosophy
In 1989 the GAR Foundation established an endowed fund to provide partial salary support for a professor of philosophy.
The Harold Squire Endowed Adjunct Chair in Entrepreneurship/Small Business
Recognizing the important role of entrepreneurs in fueling the economic engine of the U.S. economy, the Harold Squire Adjunct Chair in Entrepreneurship/Small Business serves to enrich the Master of Business Administration program at Capital University. The purpose of this endowment is to fund the appointment of an adjunct professor in entrepreneurship in the Executive MBA program.
Existing Endowment Funds
If you’d like to contribute to an endowment, but do not meet the minimum naming opportunity, donate to one of Capital’s existing endowment funds:
General Endowment Fund
Capital University’s general endowment fund income provides funds for students, faculty, schools, departments and programs as determined by the administration and the Board of Trustees.
General Endowment for Student Scholarships
Income provides funds for students requiring or deserving financial aid. Recipients are chosen by the Financial Aid Office.
Existing Endowment Fund
You can make a gift to one of Capital’s existing endowed funds, as long as the establishing donor of a fund has stipulated that other gifts are permitted.
Annually Supported Funds
Donors may also establish annually supported funds, such as student awards and scholarships. These restricted funds are distributed in amounts based on the donor’s current annual contributions and depend on reccurring yearly contributions from the donor for continuance.