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The Meliora Challenge has marked a milestone moment: the $1.2 billion comprehensive campaign this spring reached its goal of establishing 80 endowed professorships.

With two years to go, the target has been increased to 100 endowed positions by the time the Campaign is scheduled to end in June 2016.

“This is a milestone achievement to be celebrated,” President Joel Seligman said. “It is safe to say that just as great cathedrals are built brick by brick, great universities are built professorship by professorship.

“The work of our faculty is among the most enduring aspects of our University, and our alumni and friends who support their work by endowing professorships deserve our recognition and thanks.”

A key component of the Campaign’s $350 million goal for faculty support, endowed professorships are part of a long-standing tradition to celebrate faculty while also recognizing the intergenerational power of donor support for the University.

Endowed positions also help retain and attract talented faculty members who are leaders in their fields, schools, and the local community, as well as provide critical funds to support research.

Generous support from alumni, faculty, and friends of the University has driven the early success of the endowed professorship initiative, prompting the new target.

Reaching the new goal would nearly double the number of endowed professorships at the University, which counted a total of 107 such faculty positions when the Campaign first got under way in 2005.

Ceremonies to recognize inaugural appointees and the supporters of each new position began in 2006. So far, nearly four dozen events have been held, with more celebrations planned well into the future.

Here’s a roster of Rochester’s latest endowed professorships—those established between July 1, 2005, and June 30, 2014.

Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professorship in Entrepreneurship

Dennis Kessler, a faculty member at the Simon School. The professorship was established by Edward ’53, ’64S (MS) and Agnes Van Branteghem Ackley ’54.

Lindsey Distinguished Professorship for Pediatric Research

Francis Gigliotti ’83M (Flw), chief of the Division of Pediatric Diseases at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The position was endowed by microbiologist Porter Anderson Jr., who named it after one of the first children to receive the Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine that Anderson codeveloped.

Doris Johns Cherry Professorship

The professorship was established with an estate gift from Doris Johns Cherry ’43. An appointee is to be determined.

Corrigan-Minehan Professorship in Political Science

Lawrence Rothenberg, professor of political science. The professorship was part of a gift from E. Gerald Corrigan and University Trustee Cathy Jones Minehan ’68.

Beverly Petterson Bishop M ’46 and Charles W. Bishop PhD ’46 Endowed Professorship in Brain and Cognitive Sciences

Michael Tanenhaus, professor of brain and cognitive sciences and of linguistics. The professorship was named for the late Charles ’46M (PhD) and the late Beverly Petterson Bishop ’46 (MA).

Lionel McKenzie Professorship

Named for the founder of Rochester’s graduate program in economics, the professorship was established with a gift from the late Fred Jensen ’42. An appointee is to be determined.

Janice M. and Joseph T. Willett Professorship

Ronald Schmidt, who developed and chaired the Simon School’s Executive Development (MBA) Program at Erasmus University in the Netherlands. The professorship was established by University Trustee Janice Willett ’78S (MBA) and Joseph Willett ’75S (MBA).

Dr. Arcangelo J. Madonia ’38 and Annette Madonia Professorship

The position was established by the late Arcangelo and late Annette Madonia. An appointee is to be determined.

Frederick Douglass Professorship

Established with a gift from the late Fred Jensen ’42, the professorship recognizes the Rochester-based abolitionist and activist. An appointee is to be determined.

Brian J. Thompson Professorship in Optical Engineering

Jannick Rolland, professor of optics. Named in honor of Thompson, provost emeritus and former director of the Institute of Optics, the professorship was endowed by University Trustee John Bruning.

Richard S. Eisenberg Professorship in Chemistry

The position was named in recognition of Eisenberg, the Tracy H. Harris Professor of Chemistry. An appointee is to be determined.

Kenneth G. Burton, MD Annual Visiting Professor in Pediatric Orthopaedics

The position was established by Richard Burton ’64M (Res) in memory of his father. An appointee is to be determined.

Louis S. Wolk Distinguished Professorship in Medicine

Stephen Hammes, professor of endocrinology. Named in recognition of the Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation, the professorship honors Wolk, a prominent Rochester real estate entrepreneur and civic philanthropist.

Louis and Dorothy Lange Professorship in Chemistry

University Trustee Louis Lange ’70 established the professorship in memory of his parents, Louis and Dorothy. An appointee is to be determined.

Joseph W. Goodman Professorship in Optics

The position was established by Goodman, an engineer and physicist at Stanford University. An appointee is to be determined.

Founders’ Distinguished Professorship of Pediatric Allergy

The professorship was established by Eric Dreyfuss, clinical assistant professor at Golisano Children’s Hospital. An appointee is to be determined.

Marilyn and Michael Rosen Endowed Professorship

The position was established with a gift from University Trustee Michael Rosen ’82, ’83S (MBA) and Marilyn Rosen. An appointee is to be determined.

Graduate Dean of Academic Affairs

The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

Rajesh Wadhawan Professorship

The position was established by the Wadhawan family. An appointee is to be determined.

Dr. Laurie Sands Distinguished Professorship of Families and Health

Susan McDaniel, professor of psychiatry. Endowed by the Sands Family Foundation, the professorship was named in honor of the late Laurie Anne Sands ’76M (MD).

Fields Endowed Professorship

The position was established by Richard Fields on behalf of the Fields Family Foundation. An appointee is to be determined.

William H. Eilinger Chair of Pediatrics

Nina Schor, pediatrician-in-chief at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The position was established with a gift from Eilinger’s estate.

Joseph F. Cunningham Professorship

Robert Westbrook, professor of history. The professorship was established by Joseph Cunningham ’67 (MA).

Susanna and Evans Y. Lam Professorship

Joanna Wu, professor of accounting at the Simon School. The professorship was established by University Trustee Evans Lam ’83, ’84S (MBA) and Susanna Lam.

William and Sheila Konar Endowed Professorship

Anton Porsteinsson ’93M (Res), director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Care, Research, and Education Program. The position was established by Bill and Sheila Konar.

James N. Doyle, Sr. Professorship in Entrepreneurship

Ronald Goettler, associate professor of business administration at the Simon School. The professorship was established by James Doyle Jr. in honor of his father’s career at the Simon School.

Michael and Diane Jones Professorship

Toni Whited, professor at the Simon School. The professorship was established by University Trustee Michael Jones ’76 and Diane Jones.

Haggerty-Friedman Professorship in Developmental/Behavioral Pediatric Research

The position was established by two Rochester faculty members: the late Stanford Friedman ’57M (MD), who helped launched the field of behavioral pediatrics, and Robert Haggerty, who was chair of pediatrics during Friedman’s tenure at the Medical Center. An appointee is to be determined.

Alan F. Hilfiker Distinguished Professorship in English

Kenneth Gross, professor of English. The professorship was established by University Trustee Alan Hilfiker ’60.

Lori and Alan S. Zekelman Professorship of Business Administration

Robert Novy-Marx, professor of finance at the Simon School. The professorship was established by Alan ’87S (MS) and Lori Talsky-Zekelman.

Richard T. Bell Endowed Professorship

Yuhchyau Chen, chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and a physician at the Wilmot Cancer Institute. The position was established by Bell, who was a patient of Chen’s.

Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music

Jamal Rossi, dean and professor of woodwinds at the Eastman School. The deanship was endowed by University Trustee Martin Messinger ’49 and the late Joan Messinger.

Philip and Marilyn Wehrheim Professorship

The position was established by Philip and Marilyn Wehrheim ’61, ’82 (MS). An appointee is to be determined.

Denham S. Ward, MD, PhD Professorship

Michael Eaton, professor of anesthesiology. The professorship was established by several donors to recognize Ward, professor emeritus of anesthesiology.

Hazel Fyfe Professorship in Economics

Mark Bils, professor of economics. The professorship was named for the late Hazel Fyfe ’46.

Arthur R. Miller Professorship of History

Thomas Slaughter, professor of history. The professorship was established by noted legal scholar and analyst Arthur Miller ’56, ’08 (Honorary).

Saunders Family Distinguished Professorship in Neuromuscular Research

Charles Thornton ’91M (Flw), professor of neurology. The professorship was established as part of a gift from Rochester businessman E. Philip Saunders and his family.

E. Philip and Carole Saunders Professorship in Neuromuscular Research

The position was established by E. Philip and Carole Saunders. An appointee is to be determined.

Dr. Stephen I. Rosenfeld and Elise A. Rosenfeld Distinguished Professorship in Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Richard Looney, professor of medicine, allergy, and immunology and rheumatology. The position was established by Stephen ’59, ’63M (MD) and Elise Rosenfeld ’60W.

C. Jane Davis and C. Robert Davis Distinguished Professorship in Pulmonary Medicine

Patricia Sime, professor of medicine. The position was established to recognize Paul Levy, the Charles A. Dewey Professor of Medicine, by the late physician Jane Davis for her and in memory of her late brother, Bob Davis.

Gordon Fyfe Professorship in Economics

The professorship was named for the late Gordon Fyfe ’46. An appointee is to be determined.

Nathaniel and Helen Wisch Professorship in Biology

John (Jack) Werren, professor of biology. The professorship was established by University Trustee Nathaniel (Nat) Wisch ’55 and Helen Wisch.

Dr. Elizabeth R. McAnarney Professorship in Pediatrics Funded by Roger and Carolyn Friedlander

Richard Kreipe, professor of pediatrics. The position was endowed by University Trustee Roger Friedlander ’56 and Carolyn Friedlander ’68 PNP in recognition of Elizabeth McAnarney, a former pediatrician-in-chief at Golisano Children’s Hospital.

John J. Kuiper Distinguished Professorship

David Bushinsky, chief of nephrology at the Medical Center. The position was established by retired nephrologist John Kuiper ’65M (Res).

Ernest and Thelma Del Monte Distinguished Professorship in Neuromedicine

Webster Pilcher ’83M (MD/PhD), ’89M (Res), professor of neurology. The position was established by the late Rochester businessman and University Trustee Ernest Del Monte and the late Thelma Del Monte.

Dominick J. Argento Professorship

The professorship was established by Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Dominick Argento ’568E (PhD). An appointee is to be determined.

Julius, Helen, and Robert Fine Professorship

The position was established at the suggestion of Paul Fine ’49, ’61M (MD), ’66M (Res) by his nephew, Robert Fine, in his and his parents’ names. An appointee is to be determined.

Paul L. Yudkofsky Professorship in Pediatrics

The professorship was established by Beverly Yudkofsky in memory of her late husband, Paul. An appointee is to be determined.

Dr. C. McCollister Evarts Professorship in Orthopaedics

The position was established by Mac Evarts ’57M (MD), ’64M (Res), a former Medical Center CEO. An appointee is to be determined.

Distinguished Professorship in the University of Rochester Medical Center

The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

Professorship in Biomedical Engineering

The professorship was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Distinguished Professorship in Palliative Care

Timothy Quill ’76M (MD), ’79M (Res), ’81M (Flw), director of the University’s Palliative Care Program. The position was established by Georgia Gosnell and her late husband, Thomas.

Georgia and Thomas Gosnell Professorship in Quality and Safety

Robert Panzer ’80M (Res), ’82M (Flw), chief quality officer for the Medical Center and Strong Memorial Hospital. The position was established by Georgia Gosnell and her late husband, Thomas.

Dr. James C. Wyant Professorship in Optics

Govind Agrawal, professor of optics and physics. The professorship was established by University Trustee James Wyant ’69 (PhD), who also established the M. Parker Givens Professorship in Optics.

Shohei Koide Professorship in Biochemistry and Biophysics

Jeffrey Hayes, professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics. The position was established through patent revenues generated from technology developed by Koide, who was a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics from 1995 to 2002.

Richard and Margaret Burton Distinguished Professorship in Orthopaedics

Edward Schwarz, professor of orthopaedics. The position was established by Richard ’64M (Res) and Margaret Burton.

Jay S. and Jeanne P. Benet Professor of Finance

Ron Kaniel, professor of finance at the Simon School. The position was established by Jay ’76S (MBA) and Jeanne Benet.

Charles E. and Dale L. Phelps Professorship in Public Health and Policy

Theodore (Ted) Brown, professor of history. The position was established by University Professor Charles Phelps, provost emeritus, and Dale Phelps, professor and former chief of the Medical Center’s neonatology division.

Adeline Lutz Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology

Steven Ching ’74M (MD), ’81M (Res), professor of ophthalmology. The late Adeline (Lynn) and late Walter (Jack) Lutz established the professorship.

Dexter Perkins Professorship in History

Joan Shelley Rubin, professor of history. Named in honor of the late Dexter Perkins, a prominent American diplomatic historian, the position was established with lead gifts from Robert Kirkwood ’56 (PhD), Francis Grebe ’54, and other donors.

Joseph M. Lobozzo II Professorship

Walter Pegoli Jr., director of pediatric trauma at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The position was established by Lobozzo.

Professorship in Orthopaedics

The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

Professorship in Political Science

The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

Ramon and Judith Ricker Saxophone Professorship, and Ramon and Judith Ricker Jazz Saxophone Professorship

The positions were established by Ramon (Ray) Ricker ’73E (DMA), the former director of the Institute for Music Leadership, and Judith Ricker ’76E, ’81E (MM), ’91S (MBA). Appointees are to be determined.

Hansjörg Wyss Professorship

Stephen Kates ’89M (Res), professor of orthopaedics. The position was endowed by Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss.

Catherine E. Aquavella Distinguished Professorship in Ophthalmology

James Aquavella, professor of ophthalmology. Aquavella established the position in memory of his late wife and holds it as an honorary position.

Bradford C. Berk, MD, PhD Distinguished Professorship

Arthur Moss ’62M (Res), professor of medicine and cardiology. Established by Bradford Berk ’81M (MD/PhD), the CEO of UR Medicine and the Medical Center.

Robert C. and Rosalyne H. Griggs Professorship in the Experimental Therapeutics of Neurological Disease

The position was established by Robert Griggs, a former chair of the Department of Neurology. An appointee is to be determined.

Robert L. McCrory Professorship

Riccardo Betti, professor of mechanical engineering and of physics and astronomy. Endowed by an anonymous donor, the professorship honors McCrory, the director of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics for three decades.

Benefactor Distinguished Professorship

Gary Morrow, professor of surgery. The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

James D. Thompson Chief Advancement Officer (Endowed by Larry and Cindy Bloch)

Established by University Trustee Larry Bloch ’75 and Cindy Bloch, the position recognizes Thompson, the University’s former chief advancement officer. An appointee is to be determined.

Ani and Mark Gabrellian Professorship

David Primo, professor of political science. The professorship was established by University Trustee Ani Nazerian Gabrellian ’84 and Mark Gabrellian ’79.

James V. Aquavella, M.D. Professorship in Ophthalmology

The fund was established by Aquavella, professor of ophthalmology. An appointee is to be determined.

Northumberland Trust Professorship in Pediatrics

Ruth Lawrence, professor of pediatrics. The position was established by an anonymous donor.

David M. Levy Professorship in Neurology

Ray Dorsey, professor of neurology. The position was established with an estate gift from Levy.

Wilmot Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Genomics

The position was established by the Wilmot family and the James P. Wilmot Foundation. An appointee is to be determined.

Frederick A. Horner, M.D. Endowed Professorship in Pediatric Neurology

Jonathan Mink, professor of neurology. Established by Marjorie Horner in memory of her husband, Frederick Horner ’47M (MD), who joined the pediatric neurology faculty in 1968.

Michael C. Jensen Professorship

The fund was established by Martin Lacoff ’71S (MBA) in honor of former Simon School professor Michael Jensen. An appointee is to be determined.

Northumberland Trust Professorship in Neuroscience

The position was established by an anonymous donor. An appointee is to be determined.

Carol Anne Brink Professorship

The position was established in honor of Brink, associate professor emerita of clinical nursing. An appointee is to be determined.

Independence Chair in Nursing and Palliative Care

Sally Norton, associate professor of nursing. The professorship was established by the Independence Foundation.

For more about The Meliora Challenge.