Former faculty administrator donates $110,000 to Fine Arts
November 12, 2008
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In the past, University of Florida College of Fine Arts graduate students and faculty who desired to present research in national and international venues or further their knowledge through research-related travel have had to make a difficult decision: fund the travel expenses themselves or not go at all.
Now, thanks to a $110,000 donation by Madelyn Lockhart, the College of Fine Arts is creating a new endowment to support professional travel for graduate students and faculty. The Madelyn Lockhart Graduate Student and Faculty Endowment will fund such travel for research opportunities and for attendance at conferences and workshops.
Lockhart, who resides in Gainesville, has a long history with the University of Florida. She joined the College of Business Administration faculty in 1960. She held a dual appointment as dean of the Graduate School and dean of International Studies and Programs from 1985 to 1993. Retiring from UF in 1995, she now serves as a consultant to U.S. governmental and educational agencies in areas of economic development in third world countries.
“We are so thankful for Dr. Lockhart’s gift,” said Lucinda Lavelli, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “Without this funding, our ability to maintain a strong national and international presence is greatly challenged. We know significant learning occurs outside of the academy; and this is especially the case with the fine and performing arts, which is global by its very nature.”
Graduate students who receive funding from the college are able to receive matching dollars from the graduate office. Faculty who are experts in their respective fields will have an opportunity for increased support to present their research and creative work.
Lockhart has set up several endowments in the past, including support for travel and research for graduate students and faculty in the Department of Economics, the Center for Women’s Studies and the Center for African Studies. She also established endowments for focus groups in the Harn Museum of Art and for collections of African Studies in the George A. Smathers Library. As a professor and as a dean, she saw first hand the need for doctoral students to broaden their education and become involved professionally, but there were no budgeted funds for this purpose. Now with budget cuts, especially in the fine arts, she saw an even greater need for such funding.
“I’ve looked for where I thought there was a need and I can contribute,” said Lockhart. “I also look to where there have been budget cuts, and fine arts have taken a big cut.”
For more information on ways to support research-related travel contact the UF College of Fine Arts Office of Development 352-846-1211.