Donor-Supported Faculty Positions
Robert Ryan
Scientists in disease prevention, epidemiology, toxicology, biochemistry, and occupational and environmental health sciences, the late Alice and Fred Ottoboni established two endowed chairs through a generous planned gift from their trust. The endowed chair in diet and disease prevention was established to promote a research initiative at the University to help change the current approach to nutrition and disease with a goal of studying, preserving and advancing biochemical discoveries. Established: 2021 (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources)
Amilton de Mello
Scientists in disease prevention, epidemiology, toxicology, biochemistry, and occupational and environmental health sciences, the late Alice and Fred Ottoboni established two endowed chairs through a generous planned gift from their trust. The endowed chair in meat science was established to provide support to CABNR in sustaining the beef cattle interest in Nevada and promote research into the dietary and health benefits of beef. Established: 2021 (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources)
Tamzen Stringham
Donna Anderson made an estate gift to the University to create this professorship whose work is directed to maintaining the ranching tradition within the Great Basin through the improvement of rangeland management. Established: 2006. (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources)
John Muntean
While working for the Newmont Mining Corporation, Dr. Arthur A. Brant was in charge of geophysical research and development. In 1991, Brant's friends and former colleagues established this endowed chair in geophysics in his name. Established: 1991. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Ehsan Vahidi
Established with a gift from the estate of metallurgy professor John Butler, who served as chair of the Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering and Mining Engineering Department. Established: 1986. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Mehmet Tosun
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation established this endowed position to support a professor in economics with expertise in tax policy. The endowment honors Barbara Smith Campbell '78 (economics) and her many years of dedication and service to the Reynolds Foundation, the University and the state of Nevada. Established: 2014. (The College of Business)
Ana Bettencourt
Mackay School of Mines graduate Gary Clemons '81 (earth science) and his wife, Susan Magee Clemons, established two endowed professorships in chemistry and physics to recognize professors who spark students' curiosity and creativity and motivate them to pursue careers in the fields of chemistry and physics. Established: 2012. (College of Science)
Paul Neill
Mackay School of Mines graduate Gary Clemons '81 (earth science) and his wife, Susan Magee Clemons, established two endowed professorships in chemistry and physics to recognize professors who spark students' curiosity and creativity and motivate them to pursue careers in the fields of chemistry and physics. Established: 2012. (College of Science)
Mark Pingle
E.L. Cord was a builder, creator and innovator in industries ranging from automobiles to radio. He left much of his estate to the E.L. Cord Foundation, which has been a steafast supporter of the University since 1981 . Established: 2021. (The College of Business)
David Rondel
The third endowed professorship to be created from the NEH Western Traditions Endowment as a result of the Challenge Grant from NEH in 1994 with the goal to encourage faculty commitment to general education in the humanities. Joe Crowley served as a political science professor and chair and then as the 13th president of the University of Nevada, Reno from 1978-2000. Established: 2004. (College of Liberal Arts)
Under Recruitment
David Fenimore joined the Department of English in 1989. He saw firsthand the benefit of lecturers serving in key administrative roles. This endowment will release a promising lecturer from part of their teaching load to focus on developing pedagogy, devising new courses, and participating in undergraduate mentoring and program assessment. Established: 2020. (College of Liberal Arts)
Dan Morse
The second endowed professorship to be created from the NEH Western Traditions Endowment as a result of the Challenge Grant from NEH in 1994 with the goal to encourage faculty commitment to general education in the humanities. Support came from a trust established by Meta Fitzgerald. Lincoln and Meta Fitzgerald owned and operated the Nevada Club, the Fitzgerald Hotel and Casino and the Nevada Lodge at Lake Tahoe. Established: 1998. (College of Liberal Arts)
Deborah Boehm
The Foundation Professor program recognizes and salutes University professors for outstanding achievements, particularly in research and teaching. The award is for a three-year period during which the individuals selected receive an annual stipend to be used for professional endeavors. Candidates for the award are nominated by their deans and funding for the professorships is provided by the University's Foundation. Established: 1983.
Frederick Harris, Jr.
The Foundation Professor program recognizes and salutes University professors for outstanding achievements, particularly in research and teaching. The award is for a three-year period during which the individuals selected receive an annual stipend to be used for professional endeavors. Candidates for the award are nominated by their deans and funding for the professorships is provided by the University's Foundation. Established: 1983.
Ana de Bettencourt-Dias
The Foundation Professor program recognizes and salutes University professors for outstanding achievements, particularly in research and teaching. The award is for a three-year period during which the individuals selected receive an annual stipend to be used for professional endeavors. Candidates for the award are nominated by their deans and funding for the professorships is provided by the University's Foundation. Established: 1983.
Chris Morgan
During his life, the late Don Frazier '96 (honorary doctor of humane letters) established an endowment in honor of Professor Don Fowler and in support of studies relating to Great Basin prehistoric archaeology. At Frazier's passing in 2017 and with the realization of a planned gift, the endowment has been converted into an endowed chair. Established: 2000. (College of Liberal Arts)
David Leitner
Reynold Clayton Fuson was an American chemist who spent 14 years at the end of his career as a distinguished visiting professor at the University. Fuson considered his students and colleagues his family and divided his substantial estate between several universities to support students, lecturers and professorships. Established: 1984. (College of Science)
Scott Mensing
Fred D. Gibson '51 was an outstanding leader in the U.S. chemical industry for more than 50 years. He was named by the University as Alumnus of the Year in 2010 and received an honorary doctorate from Nevada in 1999. Established: 1999. (College of Science and Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Under Recruitment
Harry Gilbert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in the early ‘70s, and Lillian cared for him, largely on her own. A strong supporter of UNR Med, Lillian was passionate about supporting research and clinical programs to improve care for patients with Parkison’s and other neurological disorders. Established: 2016. (UNR Med)
C. Elizabeth Raymond
Grace A. Griffen desired her appreciation of the West to be preserved through academic publications and public involvement. She left a gift to the University in her estate providing for this chair in history. Established: 1987. (College of Liberal Arts)
Andrei Derevianko
Leon W. Hartman was a professor of physics from 1909-38 and served as the president of the University of Nevada, Reno from 1938 until his death in 1943. This fund was established with a gift from his estate and is named after his daughter, Sara Louise, who passed away while a student at the University. Established: 2017. (College of Science)
Dr. Peter Jones
2020 Foundation Board Chair Michael (Mick) J.M. Hitchcock, Ph.D. '17 (Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters) worked for more than 40 years in the bio-pharmaceutical industry and became passionate about the field of research as a graduate student researcher. Hitchcock established this fund to support a tenure-track faculty position that will focus on medical biochemistry. Established: 2014. (UNR Med)
Thomas Burnham
2020 Foundation Board Chair Michael (Mick) J.M. Hitchcock, Ph.D. '17 (Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters) worked for more than 40 years in the bio-pharmaceutical industry and became passionate about the field of research and the conversion of ideas into business. This fund supports a professorship in the University's entrepreneurship program. Established: 2021. (The College of Business)
Krishna Pagilla
Ralph E. Hoeper '51 (electrical engineering) and his wife, Rose, were pioneers in California independent telephony. This professorship was made possible through a bequest from the Rose Hoeper Estate. Established: 2019. (College of Engineering)
Shamik Sengupta
Ralph E. Hoeper '51 (electrical engineering) and his wife, Rose, were pioneers in California independent telephony. In Ralph's memory, Rose made possible the first endowed professorship at the College of Engineering. Established: 2006. (College of Engineering)
Armina Karapetian
Established by the Charles and Ruth Hopping Foundation, this endowed professorship will have the primary role of enhancing the entrepreneurship program, including the Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition. Established: 2012. (The College of Business)
Jonathan Weinstein
Dr. CS Chen '64 (physics) and Rufina Chen established the JT Endowed Professorship in Physics out of an appreciation for the mentorship Dr. Vernon Frazier provided CS while he was a student at the University. Established: 2017. (College of Science)
Javad Sattarvand
Kinross, producer of gold, silver, barite, lithium carbonate and mined magnesite, established this professorship to invest in the growth of the Department of Mining Engineering. Established: 2013. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Carolyn White
Mary Etta Sugden, the daughter of Mamie Kleberg, established this endowed chair to support historic preservation in Nevada. It was one of the first such chairs among the nation's universities dedicated to historic preservation. Established: 1978. (College of Liberal Arts)
Dr. Mordechai Lavi
Real estate investor Marvin Kratter gifted stock to the University in his estate plans to establish a chair devoted to research and teaching in the field of geriatric medicine in the School of Medicine. Established: 1980. (UNR Med)
Caesar Andrews
At Nevada, the Leonard family name has been synonymous with higher education and philanthropy for decades. The estate of Gwen Leonard '37 (history) provided that part of her estate would create a chair in the Reynolds School of Journalism in honor of her late husband, Paul A. Leonard '36 (journalism). Established: 2007. (Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism)
Petros Voulgaris
Victor Lockhart, a Lake Tahoe realtor, established this endowment to provide for faculty in the Aerospace Engineering Program and as a result, support Nevada’s established and growing aerospace industries. Established: 2018. (College of Engineering)
Dr. Daniel Spogen
Louis Lombardi, M.D., a physician for the University athletics program, a member of the Board of Regents and a University alumnus, played a vital role in establishing the University of Nevada School of Medicine. This fund was created in his name by family and friends to support teaching and research in the School of Medicine. Established: 2000. (UNR Med)
Garrett Barmore
Funded in part by a major gift from the W.M. Keck Foundation, this endowment provides for the Mackay School of Mines curator at the W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum. Established: 1987. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Under Recruitment
H. Edward Manville was an early supporter of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and served on both the UNR Med and the College of Education & Human Development advisory boards. Established: 1985. (UNR Med)
Frank M. Fossen
Charles Mathewson, former president, CEO and board chairman of IGT, established this professorship in an effort to expand the curriculum and provide long-term resources to facilitate student engagement in entrepreneurial and startup ventures. Established: 2014. (The College of Business)
Keri Ryan
In honor of E.W. McKenzie ’43 (civil engineering) and his wife, Genevieve, this fund will provide help the College of Engineering attract and retain top faculty members in civil engineering. Established: 2019. (College of Engineering)
Matt Forister
Mathematics Professor Trevor McMinn served 25 years at the University, retiring in 1988. After his passing, the University received a gift from McMinn's estate, which was used to create professorships in the College of Science. Established: 2015. (College of Science)
Roberto Mancini
Mathematics Professor Trevor McMinn served 25 years at the University, retiring in 1988. After his passing, the University received a gift from McMinn's estate, which was used to create professorships in the College of Science. Established: 2015. (College of Science)
Mariann Weierich
The late Lois Merritt Mikawa '80 M.Ed., '87 Ed.D. established this endowed fund, through her retirement account, for ethnic minority graduate students in clinical psychology to honor her husband, 27-year Clinical Psychology Professor James K. Mikawa, Ph.D. An ethnic minority himself, James Mikawa was keenly aware of the circumstances minority students face. Established: 2006. (College of Science)
Pengbo Chu
Nevada Gold Mines, the gold industry leader, supports the Mackay School through this visiting professorship. Established: 2010. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Carl Nesbitt
The chair supports the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering in recognition of the importance of higher education in the academic areas critical to the minerals industry. Established: 2008. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Manoj Mohanty
Newmont has generously supported the University for more than 50 years. Newmont established this endowed faculty position to recognize the importance of higher education in the academic areas critical to the minerals industry, as well as the Mackay School’s long and illustrious history as an institution that provides top-quality training for mining professionals. Established: 2003. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Wendy Calvin
In honor of Daniel O’Keefe ’42 (mining engineering) and Edith O’Keefe ’42 (economics), this endowed professorship in the Mackay School of Mines was established through an estate gift. Established 2000. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Under Recruitment
Reno resident, financier and philanthropist Arthur Emerton Orvis and his wife, Mae, have made a tremendous impact at Nevada. This professorship provides for a published professor with research grant application and management experience and teaching and service awards. Established: 1981. (Orvis School of Nursing)
Donica Mensing
Through an estate gift from Ida B. Pittman, this endowed position was created to honor Vail Pittman, the 19th Governor of Nevada. After moving to Nevada in 1904, Vail Pittman briefly worked in the lumber and coal industry before owning several newspapers and moving into politics, serving as governor from 1945-51. Established: 1985. (Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism)
Carolyn Warner
Through an estate gift from Ida B. Pittman, this endowed position was created to honor Vail Pittman, the 19th Governor of Nevada. After moving to Nevada in 1904, Vail Pittman briefly worked in the lumber and coal industry before owning several newspapers and moving into politics, serving as governor from 1945-51. Established: 1985. (College of Liberal Arts)
Jonathan Greenberg
Frank Randall '56 (business administration) served on the Foundation Board of Trustees from 2001-06. Frank and his wife, Joan, established this professorship to encourage and support professors who work to preserve and steward the environment and its natural resources. Established: 2013. (College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources)
Dr. Max Coppes
With the goal of taking additional concrete steps to improve the health of children in northern Nevada, the Nell J. Redfield Foundation has pledged funding for a joint chair of Pediatrics at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine/pediatrician-in-chief of Renown Children's Hospital. Established: 2014. (UNR Med)
Alan Deutschman
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation established this endowment to provide support for the business journalism program in the Reynolds School of Journalism. Established: 2008. (Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism)
Under Recruitment
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation established this endowment to provide support for the media entrepreneurship program in the Reynolds School of Journalism. Established: 2000. (Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism)
Under Recruitment
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation established this endowment to provide support for the media entrepreneurship program in the Reynolds School of Journalism. Established: 2000. (Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism)
Jason Ludden
The first endowed professorship to be created from the NEH Western Traditions Endowment as a result of the Challenge Grant from NEH in 1994 with the goal to encourage faculty commitment to general education in the humanities. Support came from the Sanford Endowment with the goal to introduce issues related to aging. An estate gift from Carson City pioneer Jean Cameron Sanford established the Sanford Endowment and the Graham and Jean Sanford Center for Aging. Established 1997. (College of Liberal Arts)
Bo Bernhard
Philip G. Satre, a former lead executive for Harrah's, was honored by the Harrah's Foundation at his retirement by establishing this endowed chair in his name. Established: 2004. (The College of Business)
Under Recruitment
Dedicated to providing educational opportunities and service in their community, Phil and Jennifer Satre '80 M.Ed. established this endowed professorship to support a position in the marketing department. Established: 2020. (The College of Business)
Alan Stavitsky
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation established a permanently endowed position to be occupied by the dean of the Reynolds School of Journalism and named in honor of the chairman of the Las Vegas-based Reynolds Foundation. Established: 2007. (Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism)
Scott McCoy
A 1955 Mackay alum in geological engineering, the late Peter Vardy exemplified a unique combination of entrepreneurial business acumen and engineering proficiency. In recognition of his exceptional career and 47 years of professional service in the areas of solid, hazardous and medical wastes management, Vardy was named the 2003 Mackay Alumnus of the Year. Established: 2017. (Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering)
Tin-Yau Tam
Mary Lea Benson Weeks was a 1902 State Normal School graduate from the University. She married miner and cattle rancher, Seneca Weeks, in 1907. She left an estate gift to the University to establish a chair in the basic sciences. Established: 1983. (College of Science)
Katherine Fusco
The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1965 to support research, education and public programs in the humanities. In 1996, University leadership applied for NEH funding and was awarded a grant to match private funds that were donated to establish permanent funding for humanities faculty positions at the University. Established: 1996 (College of Liberal Arts)
David McCallen
Simon Wong '79 (civil engineering), '84 M.S. established the the Simon Wong Faculty Scholar to attract and retain top faculty members to the College of Engineering. (College of Engineering)
Various Visitors
Established by an anonymous donor, the Distinguished Visiting Writer in Residence Endowment has supported bringing countless authors, poets and screenwriters to campus. Most recent visitors include author and poet Lee Herrick, science fiction and fantasy author Fonda Lee, and film critic Michael Phillips. Established: 2009. (College of Liberal Arts)