The College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin has raised $536,000 in response to a $500,000 challenge grant it received from the TLL Temple Foundation of Lufkin, Texas, to support the first privately funded faculty chair in the study of Pakistan.
The Charlie Wilson Chair in Pakistan Studies will encourage research on the geo-political importance of Pakistan, its history, culture and literature. Funds may be used to support travel for distinguished scholars, policymakers and speakers of note for conferences.
“In this type of challenging economic climate, our success in fundraising is a strong indicator of the relevance and timeliness of the Charlie Wilson Chair in Pakistan Studies,” said Randy Diehl, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “This fundraising effort was truly a grassroots campaign. I want to especially recognize the great help that we received from the Pakistani and Pakistani-American communities in Texas.”
“We are so glad the Charlie Wilson Chair in Pakistan Studies will now become a reality,” said Buddy Temple, chairman of the TLL Temple Foundation. “The foundation initiated this challenge to honor and acknowledge former Congressman Wilson’s service to his country and to the people of East Texas.”
