– The Dr. Joe Vargas ENDOWMENT

For the past 4 years the MTF has been engaged with MSU and the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Chair Dr. Brian Horgan regarding the possibility of providing a way to honor Dr. Joe Vargas as he plans for his retirement. As a graduate of the MSU Turf Program, Dr. Horgan is very familiar with Joe’s service and impact to the turf industry, and he is uniquely positioned as the Chair of the Department to provide insight on what the future of the MSU Turf Program may require. Discussions ensued that included how the MTF may be able to provide in a meaningful and timely way that best benefits the MSU Turf program beyond honoring Dr. Vargas. Those discussions lead to the MTF Board of Directors to support a leadership donation that would provide for an Endowment in the name of Dr. Vargas.

The use and terminology that encumbers this leadership gift can be confusing and Dr. Horgan has offered to update our membership on the meaning and the process involved in this important decision. The MTF spent some time with Dr. Horgan recently to discuss what this legacy may mean to the MSU Turf Program.

What follows are some key points that Dr. Horgan has provided for our membership and supporters.

What is an Endowment?

An endowment is used for many things at a university… an endowment supports its educational and research mission in perpetuity which could mean new laboratories, new research direction, modernizing teaching space, scholarships to bring down the cost of tuition and professorships. A named professorship says a few things about the sponsors and the area of scholarship in which the professor works. It says that the sponsors and donors believe so much in this area of research that they are willing to invest to see it live in perpetuity. And it says that the sponsors have benefited from this school, or the pipeline of highly qualified students entering the workplace, or the area of scholarship or the access and outreach and that they want their resources to be used to benefit future generations. In this and in so many other ways, a named professorship is a legacy gift.

Why is it important to the MSU Turf Program?

Joe came to MSU in 1968 and has been here ever since. For 55 years, his research has impacted the golf industry, the environment and society around the world. Undoubtedly, he has personally and positively assisted every golf course in Michigan. Whether it was identifying a new disease, establishing a disease management protocol, always looking out for the environment by finding solutions requiring fewer inputs, or telling a story said in only the way a New Englander can say it, we are collectively excited to share this honor with him. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation has very generously started this campaign with a leadership gift of $1M to the Joe Vargas Professorship in Turfgrass Pathology at Michigan State University. The MTF wants the turf program, its research, its teaching and its outreach to live in perpetuity.

What is the importance of the Endowment currently?

When MSU has an opportunity to hire a new faculty member, we do so with the intention to recruit a premier scientist/educator that will spend their career at MSU. The replacement of the turfgrass pathologist is a priority for the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. The department recognizes that turfgrass disease management, classroom education and outreach of research-based information is necessary to meet the needs of the turfgrass industry. With new faculty comes new approaches to outreach, new techniques to disease identification/management, and new classroom curriculum. While we celebrate the careers of our retiring faculty, we welcome new insight and leadership when we recruit a new professor.

Are there other considerations?

One of the limiting factors to replace a faculty position is research startup support. All new hires have an explicit responsibility to be able to fund their research through competitive grants. A startup gives the newly hired professor a buffer while they establish their research laboratory, recruit graduate students, interact with industry to identify pressing issues and develop their course materials. Typically, resources for a startup last for three years.

How does MSU contribute?

The resources provided by the MTF to establish the Joe Vargas Endowment in Turfgrass Pathology will be used to support a part of this startup. The Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and MSU office of the Provost are other contributors to startup.

What future benefits can be foreseen?

As important, the endowment – Joe Vargas Professorship in Turfgrass Pathology – will generate income to be used by the new professor in perpetuity. In other words, MTF’s investment of $1M will generate income and will grow through market investments and additional donations. To date MSU, working with MTF leadership, are developing relationships with companies, individuals and non-profits that will lead to future donations to grow this endowment.

Final thoughts?

New faculty requires new investments and we are honored to have the support of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and others. In partnership, we will recruit the very best turfgrass pathologist that will benefit the industry and honor Joe Vargas’s impact and legacy.