"We are proud to be the first advisory council on campus to provide a professorship and would challenge other groups on campus to raise a professorship and help Auburn continue to provide competitive salaries and attract quality faculty," said Jim Jager, president of Birmingham-based New South Research and past president of the advisory council.

The council's more than 50 members began with an initial gift of $10,000 about two years ago and finally raised the additional funds to create the full endowment. No other advisory councils among other AU colleges and schools have ever endowed a full professorship.

Designated within the College of Business, the professorship will reward an exceptional faculty member with financial support to conduct research and scholarly work.

While many council members give to the college individually, as a whole they decided that together they could make a lasting and substantial impact on the college and the university.

"Our group looked at the College of Business and considered where there was the greatest need," Jager said. "While we were challenged by the thought of raising the professorship, we gathered our resources and undertook the project with the Auburn spirit."

Endowed professorships are vital to AU since they provide for salary supplements, provide funds for research and travel to conferences and seminars. Former interim business Dean John Jahera made the creation of professorships a top priority during his tenure.

"The College of Business Advisory Council Professorship is a strong tangible measure of the commitment of Auburn alumni and friends to helping the College of Business achieve even greater recognition," said Jahera. "The members of the Advisory Council are to be commended for their effort in meeting this goal.

"Council members already provide strong financial support on an individual basis but this professorship reflects their efforts over and above what they have done individually. This professorship will allow the college to provide a significant salary supplement that will enable us to retain or attract a leading scholar in business."

The 2004 edition of U.S. News and World Report rated AU's College of Business 53rd overall in the country and 33rd among public universities. Its Physician Executive MBA Program was ranked by Modern Physician's Magazine as the 14th best in the nation, while Forbes Magazine ranked the MBA program 26th nationally among public universities.

The college's advisory council is made up of alumni and supporters that meet throughout the year to provide support and ideas to further develop the programs offered within the college. Council members serve for three years and represent all areas of business in the state and region from government to industry.