Jerry Farley, university president, and his wife, Susan Farley, have been contributors to Washburn University for many years, in many ways. Coming up on 10 years as president is only the beginning to the contributions and leadership that they have brought to the university.

In honor of all their hard work and commitment, the Washburn Board of Regents and Washburn Endowment Association Board of Trustees raised funds to establish the Dr. Jerry and Susan Farley Professorship in Leadership.

“It has been a very exciting process,” said JuliAnn Mazachek, WEA president.

The endowed professorship will provide an outstanding faculty member to work with students to inspire and develop leadership roles through actions that the Farleys have shown throughout their years at Washburn.

“These last 10 years have been as transforming for me and Susan as they

have been for Washburn,” said Jerry Farley.

While at Washburn, Jerry Farley has developed many new programs. Accreditation of the School of Business, the Master of Science in Nursing, the Institute for the Study and Practice of Leadership, the Washburn Transformational Experience and an alternative funding model to replace property tax with sales tax are just a few of the programs.

Numerous new buildings have also been added to campus during Farley’s time. The Art building, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the Living Learning Center, Yager Stadium Bianchino Pavillion and the Washburn Village are the new buildings added. The Mulavne Art Museum, Memorial Union, Lee Arena, White Concert Hall and Stoffer Science Hall are among the buildings that have undergone renovations.

The professorship funds were announced during Washburn Alumni Association’s annual Alumni Weekend reception, Saturday, April 20. The total amount of funds donated for the professorship totaled over $475,000 and is still growing.

“I am honored and humbled by the generosity of the Washburn

family,” said Jerry Farley.

More than 270 people have contributed to the professorship and a scroll with the list of charter members of the professorship was presented to the Farleys during the reception.

Contributions are still being accepted for the Dr. Jerry and Susan Farley Professorship in Leadership through the WEA and can be made online at www.givetowashburn.org or by contacting (785) 670-GIVE.