May 3, 2010

Contacts:
Steve Jones, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 515.294.0461
Dave Gieseke, ISU Foundation Communications, 515.294.7263

Social Sciences Endowed Chair Established in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University alumni Wendy and Mark Stavish of Leesburg, Va., have created an endowed faculty position in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Wendy and Mark Stavish

The Stavishes have provided the funds for the Wendy and Mark Stavish Chair in Social Sciences. The social sciences at Iowa State include the academic disciplines of anthropology, economics, political science, psychology and sociology. All are part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The first recipient of the Stavish Chair will be named at the beginning of the fall 2010 semester.

“One of the most effective ways to attract and retain world-class faculty is to offer endowed chairs,” said Iowa State President Gregory L. Geoffroy. “The types of positions, like the Stavish Chair, will help the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to be competitive for faculty hires and retentions in multiple disciplines.”

Wendy is a 1977 Iowa State graduate in sociology with an emphasis in social work. Mark Stavish earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1976 and a master’s in industrial relations from Iowa State. In 2007, Mark earned a doctorate in education from the George Washington University.

“Wendy and I feel blessed and privileged to be in a position to help Iowa State attract and retain a world-class faculty in the social sciences,” Mark Stavish said. “We have always believed our experiences at Iowa State provided a critical foundation for many of the blessings we have received in our adult lives.”

Endowed faculty positions, such as the Stavish Chair, are key to enhancing Iowa State’s academic excellence. Faculty members use the flexible funds provided by the endowments to support classroom and research efforts including graduate assistantships and postdoctoral stipends.

“We are extremely grateful for Mark and Wendy’s commitment to create this named faculty position in the social sciences,” said Michael Whiteford, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. “Their appreciation for the education they received as students at Iowa State speaks highly of the quality instruction offered in the social sciences then and today.”

Wendy and Mark are natives of West Des Moines, Iowa and attended West Des Moines Valley High School. After graduating from Iowa State, Mark pursued a career in human resources in corporate America. He began his professional career at Mobil Oil, spent more than eight years at Pepsi-Cola, and retired as America Online's (AOL) executive vice president of human resources. Along the way, they relocated 11 times to seven different states and raised three children. They are both active in the Northern Virginia community and serve on a number of nonprofit boards and philanthropic endeavors.

The gift is part of Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose, the university’s $800 million fundraising effort. More than $770 million in gifts and future commitments for facilities and student, faculty and programmatic support have been made to Campaign Iowa State.