Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has proposed $50 million toward an endowment at the University of Memphis meant to sustain research activity at the university, which has recently grown to be recognized among the top tier of doctoral research universities in the country.
U of M is expected to match the funds with $50 million in private donations, creating a $100 million endowment that will be key to sustaining the efforts made to increase research in recent years.
“We worked very hard to get R1 on kind of a shoe string,” said Jasbir Dhaliwal, the
executive vice president for research and innovation. The university was recognized as Carnegie R1, a top research classification, in December.
“… Another big variable is now Nashville appreciates what is going on with Memphis in terms of research, and how the best and brightest from the country are going to be coming here as well. It’s going to help change our city, literally,” Dhaliwal said Tuesday. “I’m excited.”
