At a gala celebration April 2 in New York City, Hamilton College trustees and other close friends announced the establishment of The Eugene M. Tobin Distinguished Professorship in honor of the college's president.
Tobin is stepping down as Hamilton's president at the end of the academic year on June 30.
The new endowed professorship, which already has gifts and pledges totaling $2 million, will be Hamilton's largest endowed chair.
According to Board of Trustees Chairman Stuart L. Scott, "an endowed professorship at a college or university is an extraordinary honor for the person holding the chair and for the person for whom the chair is named."
Scott said the income earned from the endowment will support the chairholder's salary, benefits, research and, in the case of the Tobin Professorship, collaborative activities with students.
In announcing the new chair, Scott said, "The progress Hamilton has made in the past 10 years is nothing short of spectacular. It is exactly what we hoped would happen when Gene accepted our offer to serve as Hamilton's 18th president in December 1993. In a few short months," Scott continued, "President Tobin will leave behind a tremendous legacy of progress and change on College Hill; Hamilton is stronger on every front."
Scott also announced that, at the direction of the donors, the Presidential Fund for Faculty Innovation will be renamed the Tobin Fund for Faculty Innovation. In addition, some of Tobin's family members have established the Eugene M. Tobin Scholarship Fund to support students with financial need who have an interest in history, and who demonstrate leadership and problem-solving abilities.
At the New York celebration, several trustees and colleagues offered reflections on Tobin's tenure on College Hill, including his 10 years as president. Speakers included trustee vice chairman Chester A. Siuda, life trustee and former Manhattanville College president Elizabeth J. McCormack and former trustee chairman Kevin W. Kennedy. Vice President for Investments and Treasurer Daniel J. O'Leary and Director of Principal Gifts Mary McLean Evans also spoke. Over 140 people attended the black-tie event at the Metropolitan Club.
Gifts to the Tobin Professorship are still being accepted and may be made by contacting Hamilton Vice President for Communications and Development Dick Tantillo at
(800) 222-6381.
