Sustaining the Center's Programs
Achieving the goal of launching a
major has not slowed down other
planning efforts at the Center. The
Center’s faculty and its Board of
Advisors recognize the importance
of supporting the new major and
sustaining the Center’s programs in
the long term.
“Back when the Center was
formed, I don’t think any of us
thought we’d see the major before
the Center celebrated its tenth
anniversary in 2013,” said Jonathan
Hess, director. “It’s an achievement
we can all be proud of, and I
hope you all share our sense of
accomplishment and excitement.
Now, as we look ahead, we need
to continue to grow Jewish Studies
and sustain the Center and its
academic and public programs.
While we celebrate this important
new endeavor for Carolina, we are
at the same time continuing to
work on other important projects
that will propel Carolina into the
top tier of institutions with leading
Jewish Studies programs.”
Among the top priorities, the
Center is committed to continuing
to recruit and retain highly
renowned faculty, who in turn will
create new courses for Carolina’s
students. In 2011–12, there are
14 affiliated faculty members, of
which just six were at Carolina
in 2003. This growth in faculty
means more opportunities for
undergraduates and graduate
students alike.Graduate student
support is another key goal.
Recruiting highly promising
scholars is very competitive
among top tier institutions, and
these students are naturally in
a situation where they need to
balance academic priorities with
financial realities. By expanding
fellowship opportunities,
Carolina can continue to attract
talented graduate students
who will bring new ideas for
research projects, assist with
faculty research projects,
and serve as mentors for
undergraduate students.
Increasing funding for other
key initiatives continues as
well, including creating more
programs that support undergraduate
research endeavors,
expanding the Center’s public
lecture program, and supporting
new course development,
especially for the Capstone
Courses.
“In order to fully sustain the
Center and the new major
during our next 10 years, and
beyond, we will continue to
seek leadership gifts that will
provide endowment funds in
perpetuity,” added Hess. “Specifically, during our second
decade, we are hopeful to have
a naming gift for the Center
and an unrestricted endowment
for the Directorship. Equally
essential to the long-term
sustainability of the Center,
we also need to double the
amount raised through Annual
Giving each year.”
