The extraordinary academic achievements of nine Vanderbilt University endowed chair holders were recognized during a Jan. 17 ceremony at the Student Life Center.
The budgetary challenges now facing lawmakers make the role of philanthropy more important than ever “for maintaining the shine of our research and scholarship programs,” according to Jeff Balser, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine.
“We are grateful for the generous gifts that support these endowments,” Balser said. “They represent true commitments to knowledge and innovation that last forever, helping generations to come.”
Richard McCarty, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, joined Balser in thanking the donors and honoring the nine chair holders. They are:
- Celia S. Applegate, William R. Kenan Jr. Chair
- David G. Blackbourn, Cornelius Vanderbilt Distinguished Chair in History
- William O. Cooper, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Pediatrics
- Sergio Fazio, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Medicine
- Haydar A. Frangoul, Carolyn Perot Rathjen Chair
- Kevin B. Johnson, Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair in Biomedical Informatics
- MacRae F. Linton, Dr. Stephen Schillig Jr. and Mary Schillig Chair in Medicine
- Tony K. Stewart, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair in Humanities
- R. Jay Turner, Harvie Branscomb Chair
- Steven A. Webber, James C. Overall Chair in Pediatrics
The Jan. 17 celebration was the ninth in a series of events to celebrate Vanderbilt’s exceptional scholars who have been named to endowed chairs.
Since the major university initiative to recruit and retain outstanding scholars and teachers was announced by Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos in August 2010, 94 chair holders have been recognized at institution-wide celebrations.
