The university has a long-standing commitment to recruit nationally and internationally prominent faculty in all fields. When opportunities arise to recruit such scholars, university policies on faculty recruitment permit direct hires outside the typical faculty search procedures. The university has criteria defining who qualifies as a "prominent scholar." In situations where a prominent African-American scholar is identified who meets this criteria, the SOBA endowment is intended to provide financial support for recruitment of such scholars.
The scholar would be offered the SOBA professorship title and would hold the title for a set period of years, at which time he or she would relinquish the title but continue on the faculty in a permanent tenured position with salary support in accordance with the department's normal budgetary procedures. The scholar would be eligible for appointment to another endowed chair at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Through this rotation, the SOBA professorship would then be available to support the hiring of other prominent scholars.
When fully endowed, the SOBA professorship will generate opportunities for generations of faculty and students at Johns Hopkins University. The professorship would be placed within the division that demonstrates the greatest need for African-American faculty, as determined by the provost of the university.
This endowment reflects the Society of Black Alumni's commitment to Johns Hopkins and its interest in enhancing educational diversity at the university through its support of a professorship that will bolster Johns Hopkins' efforts to identify and hire top African-American scholars. This endeavor is in concert with the institution's commitment to attract outstanding faculty in all disciplines.
For more information, or to make a gift, please call 410-516-5185, or e-mail soba@jhu.edu.
