DR. BLASEY

November 9, 2018 – Below is the original story that kicked off this fundraiser. Since then there has been much progress in defining the endowment, and I have had the chance to discuss it with Dr. Blasey herself. Please see updates 8 and 9 for details.]


On September 27th, 2018, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford (who uses “Blasey” professionally) carried on her career as a scholar and educator, by providing lessons in civic responsibility, courage, and using one’s knowledge to speak truth to power. Since 1995, at least, when she published her dissertation, Dr. Blasey has been engaged in research and teaching.

To honor her, particularly in her professional capacity, this is a campaign to raise funds to endow an academic chair (professorship) and/or scholarships, to be named so as to recognize Dr. Blasey.

I do not know Dr. Blasey and I am doing this on my own initiative. I will attempt to confer with her about where to locate and how to title any endowment we raise. I began this campaign on September 27th, so that all who can donate or publicize could immediately demonstrate the same commitment to education Dr. Blasey so clearly has and to show our appreciation for her commitment and integrity.

I previously sponsored a capped fundraiser to assist Dr. Blasey with her security expenses. She has access to the funds and I understand she will draw upon them when she has the opportunity to do something other than hire security and prepare for hearings. Because I am not aware of her having need for further financial assistance at this time, I decided to fundraise to recognize her personal and professional accomplishments, to make sure she knows people see her as far more than "just" a victim or even survivor of sexual assault and as more than a witness in a Senate hearing.

Since starting the campaign, I have learned that $100,000 is a starting figure for a fitting academic endowment. To endow, a faculty position in Dr. Blasey's honor could cost as much as $4 million. While I do not foresee this particular campaign as achieving that sort of result, I have set our goal at the low end, because I believe we can raise at least $125,000. As of this writing (October 3, 2018) I am in contact with a few institutions that could suitably house whatever we raise in this campaign. Once details of a formal endowment are arranged, I plan and hope to publicize how future donors can contribute to it directly. In the meantime, gifts to this preliminary round are vital and much appreciated.