2008 Woodie Awards
Endowment provides funding for professorship
Denison family gives $500K toward Native American education
By: Heather Hammons
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: News
Central Michigan University could see a boost to its Native American program thanks to a family with strong ties to the area.
The Denison family has given the university a $500,000 endowment to provide funding for a visiting professorship.
Michael Leto, vice president of development and alumni relations, said the endowment will give people a better understanding of the Native American culture.
"It will bring nationally-known scholars to campus to discuss issues facing the Native American population," Leto said.
The gift to Central is in honor of late alumni Rollie and Olga Denison.The Denisons' children, Spencer and Dan Denison and Diane Dahnke, presented it to CMU's Board of Trustees.
The Faculty Endowment Matching Program decided to match the Denisons' endowment down to the last dollar.
"It's their mother's gift that the children matched," said Lesa Smith, director of development for the College of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences. "The family has a long-standing relationship with the tribe."
Dan Denison said he thinks this will help put CMU on the map, making the school more visible.
"CMU is trying to provide a more extensive program to attract people studying in that area," he said.
Dan Denison said the visiting professorship will make people more knowledgeable of the Native American history, art, economics and cultural traditions.
"It's an opportunity for the community and campus to come together to get to known (Native Americans)," said Benjamin Ramirez, history faculty member. "They have a history that needs to be brought to the forefront."
Although many details are yet to be decided, Dan Denison said they are looking at bringing in the first visiting scholar for the 2008-09 school year.
"It's about time," Ramirez said.
Ramirez, who is Native American, also teaches the Ojibwe language. He said this only can affect the university in a positive light.
"It's an incredible opportunity to bring in multiple scholars and learn from them and learn about the world from another perspective," Ramirez said.
As CMU alumni, the Denison family has been involved in many charitable activities, including its scholarship fund with the College of Business Administration.
news@cm-life.com
The Denison family has given the university a $500,000 endowment to provide funding for a visiting professorship.
Michael Leto, vice president of development and alumni relations, said the endowment will give people a better understanding of the Native American culture.
"It will bring nationally-known scholars to campus to discuss issues facing the Native American population," Leto said.
The gift to Central is in honor of late alumni Rollie and Olga Denison.The Denisons' children, Spencer and Dan Denison and Diane Dahnke, presented it to CMU's Board of Trustees.
The Faculty Endowment Matching Program decided to match the Denisons' endowment down to the last dollar.
"It's their mother's gift that the children matched," said Lesa Smith, director of development for the College of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences. "The family has a long-standing relationship with the tribe."
Dan Denison said he thinks this will help put CMU on the map, making the school more visible.
"CMU is trying to provide a more extensive program to attract people studying in that area," he said.
Dan Denison said the visiting professorship will make people more knowledgeable of the Native American history, art, economics and cultural traditions.
"It's an opportunity for the community and campus to come together to get to known (Native Americans)," said Benjamin Ramirez, history faculty member. "They have a history that needs to be brought to the forefront."
Although many details are yet to be decided, Dan Denison said they are looking at bringing in the first visiting scholar for the 2008-09 school year.
"It's about time," Ramirez said.
Ramirez, who is Native American, also teaches the Ojibwe language. He said this only can affect the university in a positive light.
"It's an incredible opportunity to bring in multiple scholars and learn from them and learn about the world from another perspective," Ramirez said.
As CMU alumni, the Denison family has been involved in many charitable activities, including its scholarship fund with the College of Business Administration.
news@cm-life.com
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