As scholars in their disciplines, as teachers in the classroom, and as mentors outside the classroom, they have been characterized by their passion for the educational process at Hiram College. Nonetheless, modern day exigencies at a small liberal arts college make it harder and harder for Hiram to maintain such a faculty. Competition is keen. Salaries are often below those of competitor institutions and are most certainly below those in the private sector. The size of the institution, as well as constraints on the operating budget, means that many departments have only two faculty members, often representing distinctly different elements of a discipline.
Faculty members can therefore experience intellectual isolation.
The Campaign for Hiram College completed in 1996 began to address aggressively these challenges through the establishment of three endowed chairs and an endowed fund to enhance faculty salaries. But more needs to be done to ensure that the College will continue to retain top-notch faculty. New endowed positions will help attract outstanding teachers to Hiram or reward respected academic leaders already at the College. Additionally, endowed funds for faculty and staff development will continually renew energies and expand horizons through seminars, conferences and research.