Endowed chair drives innovation and student discovery

For mechanical engineering professor Dr. Arun Srinivasa, an endowed chair is more than a professional honor.

“An endowment is an investment in the future of the country,” said Srinivasa, who currently holds the J.N. Reddy Chair in Applied Mechanics. “It’s about building leadership in areas that may not even be on the horizon yet.”

In Texas A&M University’s J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, that investment is already shaping the experiences of students and faculty alike. Endowed chairs and professorships provide the flexibility to pursue new ideas, support emerging research and create opportunities that traditional funding sources often cannot.

Unlike grants tied to specific outcomes, endowed funding allows faculty and students to explore early-stage, high-risk concepts that may not have a clear application or path forward.

“These are ideas that people haven’t even fully thought through yet,” Srinivasa said. “Endowments give us the ability to explore those spaces.”

That freedom can be transformative for students.

Srinivasa recalled a student who once questioned whether she belonged in the field of mechanical engineering. With interests rooted in photography and art, she struggled to see a connection to the field. But through research supported by Dr. Srinivasa and the J. N. Reddy Chair in Applied Mechanics, she found a new path — applying visual techniques to advanced measurement and materials research. Today, she is pursuing a Ph.D.

“We could never have imagined that work without her perspective,” Srinivasa said. “That’s what this support allows. It gives students a chance to dream.”

He describes these opportunities as “guided dreams,” where faculty serve not just as instructors, but as mentors helping students refine and develop their ideas.

“If you are a good teacher, students will come to you with ideas,” Srinivasa said. “Our role is to guide them; to help shape those ideas into something meaningful.”

That mentorship is central to how he views his role as an endowed chair holder.

“We are guardians of the chair,” he said. “We are temporary stewards of something that was created to have a long-term impact.”

The chair he holds was established by Dr. J.N. Reddy, a leader in structural mechanics who believed in expanding opportunity for future generations. For Srinivasa, that legacy carries both privilege and accountability.

“My responsibility is to use those resources in a way that creates impact,” he said. “Not just for myself, but for students and for the field.” 

Endowed positions also play a critical role in strengthening the department as a whole. They help attract and retain top faculty, fostering an environment where innovative teaching and research can thrive.

“Chairs and professorships like this are what allow universities to recruit the best people,” Srinivasa said. “And that ultimately benefits students.”

Endowed faculty also reduce the constant pressure to secure external support, allowing them to focus on mentorship and discovery.

“It gives us the cushion to try something new,” he said. “Without that, many ideas would never even get started.”

For students, that can mean the difference between waiting for an opportunity and actively pursuing one.

“You don’t want them in limbo,” Srinivasa said. “You want to be able to say, ‘Let’s try it.’”

As the department and university continue to grow, he believes these investments are essential to maintaining a personal, student-centered experience where ideas are nurtured and potential is recognized.

“Some of the most important moments happen through simple connections,” he said. “If we’re not paying attention, those opportunities can be lost.”

Ultimately, Srinivasa sees endowed support as a way to preserve one of the most important aspects of education: curiosity.

“All science begins with a dream,” he said. “Our job is to give students the chance to pursue it.”