 | This story is part of an Outlook series profiling endowed chair and named professor recipients.
By Jamie Heberling
Since Professor Tec Compton received an endowed professorship in 2001, his focus hasn't changed. "Regardless of the endowment, students and teaching always come first," said the O'Bleness Professor of Management Information Systems (MIS). Compton, who has taught at Ohio University since 1977, became a professor of MIS four years ago, after a 21-year stint in the Accounting deparment. His three-year endowed professorship has allowed him to delve further into his research emphasis on job satisfaction in systems personnel. The most difficult part of being a professor of MIS, he said, is the "constant need to keep up with evolving technology." That's why he considers the professorship to be so beneficial. If allows him to stay abreast of new trends so he can relay them to the students.
In addition, the endowment allows Compton more teaching release time and the opportunity to attend more academic conferences. "Students are our customers, and when we stay up-to-date with trends we're able to satisfy their needs more effectively," he said. "I'm honored that I have the opportunity to do that with my professorship."
Despite his many years in the professional world, Compton still finds academia more rewarding. "The greatest satisfaction of my job is seeing kids learn and get on their way with their careers knowing that I contributed," he added.
After the professorship expires at the end of 2003-2004, he will consider retiring. "I've really benefited from thje opportunity to be an endowed professor, but it's something I know needs to be passed on to the younger people in the department," he concluded.
The College of Business has six endowed professorships in recognition of Charles G. O'Bleness, a philanthropist who graduated from Ohio University in 1898 and established the O'Bleness Foundationfor the Athens area.
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