The academic tradition of endowed chairs dates back to 1502, when Margaret of Richmond, mother of Henry VII, established the Lady Margaret Professorship of Divinity at Oxford University.
Half a millennium later, the endowed chair has evolved into one of the most prestigious and permanent investments that can be made in any university. These seats constitute a powerful means of attracting and retaining superior faculty in rich scientific areas of research by providing a permanent source of financial support for salaries and academic activities. Furthermore, endowed positions offer a unique opportunity for students to study under the guidance of world-class scholars.
Beyond their direct impact on research and scholarship, these venerated posts play a vital role in immortalizing an individual or company whose name is permanently linked to the chair, resulting in a highly visible form of recognition that lives on from generation to generation. New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES) has a total of nine endowed faculty positions, a few of which are open for naming. All endowments are always open to receive additional donations at any time.
