Dean Rankin speaks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Gates Computer Science Complex.
In April 2010, the College of Natural Sciences Advisory Council gathered once again to honor one of their friends at the college’s annual Hall of Honor event.
Only this year, they came bearing a big surprise for Dean Mary Ann Rankin. Unbeknownst to the dean, members of the Advisory Council had been secretly gathering funds to support the Mary Ann Rankin Leadership Chair.
“Sixteen years ago Mary Ann Rankin became the dean of the College of Natural Sciences, and during the ensuing years her impact has been so great,” said Dr. Jim Prentice, chair of the Advisory Council. “I think 100, 200 years from now, students will still be benefiting from the things that Mary Ann Rankin did.”
“I was actually very shocked when I realized what all of these supporters have done in my name,” says Rankin. “I was quite literally speechless. But I am so grateful to our friends who have come together to do this great service for the college and for its future leaders. It’s quite an honor.”
A significant number of Advisory Council members and other friends have helped to bring this $1 million endowment to 84 percent completion. It will support Rankin and future college deans with the flexible funds that they need to attract top students and faculty, to boost deserving programs in need, and to support the exploration of new programs and research.
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