This Ignite Ole Miss campaign for the faculty chair honoring Chancellor Dan Jones has closed.

However, great news! If you did not get to participate, the University Foundation continues to accept gifts for this important initiative. Click on this link and make a gift of any size to support outstanding faculty to help in the academic preparation of our students. Thus far, the alumni and friends, faculty, and staff campaigns combined exceed $1,032,000. Your generous investments are deeply appreciated!

An Advocate for Faculty Support

The tenure of University of Mississippi Chancellor Dan Jones will conclude in September, after what can only be characterized as a golden era of growth and progress. For this reason, the UM Faculty is joining a widespread initiative to attract funds to honor him through an endowed faculty chair – the Daniel W. Jones, M.D. Chair – which will rotate among schools and colleges on the Oxford campus. At his inauguration, Dr. Jones launched an initiative to build $100 million in faculty support to undergird the teaching and research mission of our great institution, and this effort has attracted approximately $40 million thus far. While the University has enjoyed many strong leaders, we will remember Dr. Jones for the unprecedented focus he has placed on building faculty support. Chancellor Jones emphasizes the critical need to support faculty as the means of providing our current and future students with the most outstanding educational experiences possible.

With a Vision for Our University

Remarkably, the University of Mississippi under Chancellor Jones’ leadership has become flourished despite the economically challenging times that have forced many universities across the nation to cut back rather than grow. Chancellor Jones has positioned the University for sustained success at the national and global level, with our academic reputation continually becoming stronger. Consider these achievements during Dr. Jones’ tenure:

• The university's enrollment for fall 2014 hit an all-time record of 23,096 for all its campuses, largest in Mississippi. That's up 40 percent in 10 years, rising from 16,500 students in 2004.
• The freshman class has grown from 2,473 in 2007 to 3,814 – the largest for any university in state history – in 2014. That's an increase of more than 54 percent. The average ACT scores of incoming freshmen have soared by 1.4 points, from 22.9 in 2007 to a school record 24.3 in 2014. Student retention has also improved. In 2014, 84.6 percent of the previous year's freshmen returned for their sophomore year, compared to 80.5 percent in fall 2007.
• The Chronicle of Higher Education named UM as the nation's 13th-fastest growing university in its Almanac of Higher Education 2014.
• Approximately $473 million of active major capital projects can be found on the Oxford campus – that is, projects in the planning, design, construction and newly completed stages.
• Private support exceeded $100 million for the 3rd straight year: $118 million for FY 2014, $114.6 million in FY 2013 and $122.6 million in FY 2012. During 2014, almost 22,000 donors invested in UM, and the endowment now stands at approximately $600 million.
• Initiatives have strengthened diversity on campus and created a culture of inclusivity and respect for all. Among universities in the SEC, UM is a leader in African-American enrollment, and the graduation rate of African-American students has improved by 21 percent since 2010

A Teacher, a Researcher, a Servant Leader

The Chancellor’s top priorities and many successes can be traced back to his beginnings. Dr. Jones is a longtime teacher and researcher and has a great appreciation and understanding for fellow academicians; this complements his heart for students and passion for exceptional educational opportunities. Consider these thoughts about his interactions with faculty and his focus on students:

• Chancellor Jones leader has maintained on ongoing dialogue with the UM Faculty Senate and is committed to shared governance, openness and transparency. The result is a campus community characterized by academic freedom and a deep dedication to learning.
• When the College Board increased tuition in 2010, Chancellor Jones launched the Ole Miss Opportunity scholarship program to ensure access to college degrees. Around 400 students are now enrolled because of this program, which is projected to grow each year. The program covers the costs of attending college after other financial assistance avenues have been exhausted for students from lower-income families.
• Chancellor Jones has encouraged thousands of Ole Miss students to adopt a “service before self” philosophy as a major part of their lives. The Big Event was founded, a day for students to give volunteer hours working in the Oxford-Lafayette County community as a means of saying “thank you.” The fifth annual Big Event this spring saw more than 1,500 students participating. Countless other examples could be listed to illustrate students’ service projects around the globe.
• Chancellor Jones has encouraged everyone in our academic community to live the University of Mississippi Creed, with emphasis on respect, civility, integrity, honesty, academic freedom and good stewardship.

A Meaningful ‘Thank You’

As a member of the UM Faculty, please act today and make a gift of any size to help endow the Daniel W. Jones, M.D. Chair. Our goal is to have as high a participation rate as possible to show our Chancellor how much his leadership has meant to us over the last six years and the impact it will continue to have for years to come. Your gift will honor him by building faculty support and strengthening our University.