|
(Photo courtesy of Wofford College)
Christopher A.P. Carpenter ’90, chairman of the Wofford College Board of Trustees, announced $3 million in commitments to establish three endowed funds to honor Wofford’s 11th president Nayef H. Samhat, Ph.D.
• The Nayef H Samhat Chair of Government and International Affairs honors Samhat’s area of academic expertise.
• The Nayef H Samhat Faculty Development Fund honors Samhat’s emphasis on supporting faculty scholarship, leadership, teaching and mentorship.
• The Nayef and Prema Samhat Endowed Scholarship Fund recognizes the Samhats’ shared commitment to student success and the wholistic student experience.
Samhat announced that he would step down as president of Wofford College on June 30, 2026, after 13 years of transformational leadership.
The search for the college’s 12th president has begun.
“Mike James (’75), former board chair who led the search that brought Nayef and Prema to Wofford 12 years ago, gave me some great advice when I contacted him about the current presidential search,” says Carpenter. “First and foremost, he said to spend the year honoring Nayef and Prema and their many contributions to Wofford. I think we’re off to a good start.”
With the $3 million in commitments, all three endowments will immediately make an impact in the classroom, officials said. They also said additional gifts from the Wofford community will create an even greater effect on the academic experience.
Since Samhat joined the campus community in 2013, the college has seen the construction or renovation of more than 20 campus facilities.
The endowment has grown from $141 million to $516 million and net assets have increased from less than $200 million to over $700 million.
Applications are up 58 percent to 4,459 for the Class of 2029 that joins the Wofford community in the fall.
Officials also said the acceptance rate is down to 52 percent (from 62 percent when Samhat arrived on campus), demonstrating more selectivity and a higher academic profile in each entering class.
“We have accomplished so much under Nayef’s strategic leadership. The college has never been in a stronger position, and I’m proud to join trustees and community leaders in honoring the legacy of Nayef and Prema Samhat,” says Carpenter.
“Wofford College embraced us 12 years ago, and we have always felt the strongest commitment to this college and all the people who make Wofford so special,” says Samhat.
He added, “I cannot thank this wonderful community enough for the experience we’ve had serving Wofford College, and we are humbled by the gifts in our honor that will continue to support student and faculty success.”
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
|
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here