About
The endowment funds the salary and associated costs of a U.S. and Michigan government and political expert to serve as a faculty member in Central Michigan University's political science department.
Responsibilities of the Griffin Endowed Chair
Teach an undergraduate course
The course will focus on current U.S. government policy issues affecting Michigan. It will give students firsthand exposure to complex political issues and feature guest speakers from government and industry.
Conduct a series of political issues
The forums will be of relevance to Michigan, culminating with an annual symposium on Michigan politics. Key experts from government, business, academia and elsewhere will be invited to participate in the forums, which will be televised on Central Michigan Public Television.
Supervise development of a Michigan political journal
The journal will cover current and historical issues in Michigan government. The journal will encourage dissemination of political research to Michigan lawmakers, government and opinion leaders, and it will feature articles by political professionals researchers and others.
Oversee collection of Michigan political material
The collection will include research, data, campaign memorabilia and much more. These materials will supplement the Clarke Historical Library holdings, which already include 410 boxes of Griffin's U.S. government papers. The long-term goal calls for establishment of a center for Michigan politics, which will serve as a central source for scholarly and public research.
Click here to read the Statement of Facts about the Griffin Endowed Chair (2007).