Board of Visitors member Joseph Plumeri ’66 and the College announced jointly today that Plumeri has pledged $2 million to establish the Plumeri Awards for Faculty Excellence.
“It is a privilege for me to give back to honor and support our faculty’s efforts,” Plumeri said in a press release. “The faculty is the DNA of the College and each day they work passionately to challenge the minds of our exceptional students. Their research and other pursuits extend well beyond the campus.”
Interim College President Taylor Reveley was similarly excited.
“This extraordinary gift from Joe Plumeri will make a real difference for the better at William and Mary,” Reveley said. “We are grateful for his commitment to the faculty.”
The awards will provide 20 faculty members with $10,000 annually for ten years for research opportunities and other academic activities.
Each school’s dean will nominate faculty for the award, and Provost Geoff Feiss will choose the winners. The first awards will be announced and presented during the 2009-2010 academic year and will continue each year for 10 years.
“This is a tremendous demonstration of support for the College and most particularly for its faculty,” Feiss said. “Plumeri’s unyielding loyalty and generosity to his alma mater will create opportunities for our faculty to extend their preeminence in teaching and research — and thus enhancing the experience of every William and Mary student — and we are incredibly grateful for his generosity and passionate devotion to the practice of great teaching and mentoring.”
Plumeri has donated many millions of dollars to the College, supporting programs such as Gateway William and Mary, Mason School of Business scholarships and Plumeri Park, the College’s baseball stadium. He also established an annual golf tournament that supports athletics.