Fundraising is one of the top job descriptions for any university president. They often head across the country, and in some cases, around the world in search of money to bring back to their schools.

While spending so much of their time asking others to be generous and donate, many presidents choose to give back to the universities they lead.

“If I am asking other people to contribute to different causes within the university, then I think I ought to be an example by contributing those funds myself,” said Roderick McDavis, president of Ohio University.

McDavis is one of the most generous university presidents when it comes to donating. In Friday’s edition of the Daily Kent Stater, McDavis topped the list of university presidents who give back, having donated $73,070, 3.44 percent of his base salary.

At one time, Kent State was lucky enough to have a generous president in Carol Cartwright, who led Kent State from 1991 to 2006. Cartwright is now the president at Bowling Green State University, where she has given $45,108, over 4.35 percent of her base salary, back to the school.

In order for university presidents to make a sincere effort at seeking donations from both big and small donors, they must first be able to show their own generosity. McDavis and Cartwright, as well as other presidents who topped the list, should be commended for their donations.

It’s true that university presidents donate a lot of their time and talents to different causes around campus, and the loyalty to their universities cannot be judged by the size of their donation check.

However, university presidents are in a unique role, and should lead by example when asking for generous donations.

The above editorial is the consensus of the Daily Kent Stater.