18 Endowed Chairs and Professorships It’s about understanding the world. It’s about polymers, quantum optics and nation branding. It’s about biogeophysics, 3-D and French women playwrights. And, it’s even about carbonate rocks. But most of all, it’s about understanding the world around us, our place in it and how we can make it better. The College of Arts and Sciences boasts 13 endowed chairs and 13 endowed professorships in a wide range of academic disciplines, from chemistry to journalism to sociology. “Faculty recruitment and retention are important to our college’s competitiveness both in research and teaching,” says Regents Professor Peter M.A. Sherwood, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Endowed faculty positions attract, retain and fund the long-range research of a distinguished scholar or they can support the career development of promising younger faculty.” The faculty positions provide perpetual funds to enhance the holder’s salary, support research and fund related expenses. The funds result from interest earnings on the monies placed in the endowment. A $500,000 donation establishes an endowed chair, while a $250,000 donation establishes an endowed professorship. On the following pages are snapshots of faculty whose research and teaching is supported through endowed chairs and professorships and is making the world better. The Positions Filled Positions Grayce B. Kerr Chair in mathematics: William Jaco Fae Rawdon Norris Professorship in humanities: Perry Gethner Noble Foundation Chair in laser research: Girish Agarwal Noble Foundation Professorship in technology enhanced learning: James Choike AT&T Professorship in mathematics: Igor Pritsker Sun Company Clyde Wheeler Chair in hydrogeology: Estella Atekwana V. Brown Monnett Chair in petroleum geology: Jay Gregg Peggy Layman Welch Chair in strategic communications: Jami Fullerton Harrison I. Bartlett Chair in chemistry: Frank Blum Chesapeake Energy Chair in petroleum geoscience: Michael Grammer Laurence L & Georgia I Dresser Professorship in rural sociology: Riley Dunlap Vacant Positions Fire Emergency Management Program Endowed Chair Vaughn Foundation Professorship Donald Reynolds Centennial Professorship Hannah D. Atkins Professorship for political science and government information Harry Heath-Tulsa Tribune Foundation Professorship in journalism and broadcasting Boone Pickens Endowed Chair in geophysics Welch/Bridgewater Chair in sports journalism Devon Energy Chair for basin research Vennerberg Professorship in developmental disabilities in psychology Vaughn “Trey” O. Vennerberg III Chair in bioinformatics and molecular genetics Vennerberg Professorship in art Doug & Nickie Burns Endowed Professorship in vocal music Masonic Chair in gender studies Houston-Truax-Wentz Endowed Professorship in English Mary Lou Lemon Endowed Professorship for underrepresented voices
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