Be part of Michigan Tech's ongoing effort to further our tradition of faculty excellence by providing endowed chairs and professorships, faculty development funds, visiting lectureships, and research support for current and prospective faculty. Please contact Lorraine Young to discuss supporting or starting an endowed position.
Endowed Deans
Dave House Dean of Computing
Dr. Dennis Livesay
This deanship was created to recruit and retain the most distinguished and highly sought nationally and internationally celebrated academic administrators, professors to support world-class research in the educational department specified by the donor. The House Dean is intended to be of the highest caliber and expected to build academic programs of international stature at Michigan Tech.
Endowed Chairs
John and Cathi Drake Endowed Chair in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Gordon Parker
This professorship was created with the intent to retain and attract high quality faculty who are at the top of their profession, can excite students to think beyond the classroom material and know how to integrate their research into the classroom. The holder of the Drake Endowed Professorship will provide leadership in research and teaching in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics. Funds from this endowment will also provide support for equipment and graduate and undergraduate students engaged with world-renowned faculty on cutting-edge research. Annual Report
Herbert H. Dow Endowed Chair in Chemical Process Safety
The holder of this position will develop and promote graduates with outstanding technical skills and cultural attitudes with respect to chemical process safety, assist other universities and departments in integrating concepts of chemical process safety into their curricula, develop a nucleus of faculty with research expertise in chemical process safety, work closely with industry and industrial colleagues to provide a resource for industrial training and research on chemical process safety and be a resource to the College of Engineering, the University and the larger academic community regarding the importance of safety in engineering design and implementation.
John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics
Dr. Gregory Odegard
The John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics was established to retain and attract high quality faculty who are at the top of their profession, can excite students to think beyond the classroom material, and know how to integrate their research into the classroom. The holder of this position will provide leadership in research and teaching the department. Annual Report
James and Lorna Mack Endowed Chair of Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering
Dr. Caryn Heldt
The James and Lorna Mack Chair emphasizing bioengineering will allow the Department of Chemical Engineering to establish national leadership in bioengineering research and education. The holder of the Mack Chair will be a leader in bioengineering research and education at Michigan Tech and nationally. The Chair will also involve undergraduate students in research efforts and teach undergraduate courses involving the cutting edge of bioengineering. Annual Report
Roland Mariucci Endowed Chair: Distinguished Practitioner in Residence
This endowment was created to appoint distinguished civil and environmental engineering practitioners to the Endowed Chair position. The gift was set up in support of helping the civil and environmental engineering programs in producing practical engineers.
Robbins Chair in Sustainable Manufacturing and Design
Dr. Craig Friedrich
This endowment was created with the intent to retain and attract high quality faculty who are dedicated to advancing sustainability across disciplines. These include, but are not limited to: development of machines and transportation systems with low noise, low levels of air pollution and high energy efficiency; the development of the use of alternative and renewable energy sources; and the application of ecological and wildlife management principles in forestry best practices. Annual Report
Robbins Chair in Sustainable Marine Engineering
Dr. Guy Meadows
This endowment was created with the intent to retain and attract high quality faculty who are dedicated to advancing sustainability across disciplines. These include, but are not limited to: development of machines and transportation systems with low noise, low levels of air pollution and high energy efficiency; the development of the use of alternative and renewable energy sources; and the application of ecological and wildlife management principles in forestry best practices. Annual Report
Robbins Chair in Sustainable Resources
This endowment was created with the intent to retain and attract high quality faculty who are dedicated to advancing sustainability across disciplines. These include, but are not limited to: development of machines and transportation systems with low noise, low levels of air pollution and high energy efficiency; the development of the use of alternative and renewable energy sources; and the application of ecological and wildlife management principles in forestry best practices.
Robbins Chair in Sustainable Use of Materials
Dr. David Shonnard
This endowment was created with the intent to retain and attract high quality faculty who are dedicated to advancing sustainability across disciplines. These include, but are not limited to: development of machines and transportation systems with low noise, low levels of air pollution and high energy efficiency; the development of the use of alternative and renewable energy sources; and the application of ecological and wildlife management principles in forestry best practices.
Endowed Professors
John F. and Joan M. Calder Endowed Professor in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Dr. Jeffrey Allen
This professorship was created with the intent to provide leadership in research and teaching in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics. Funds from this endowment will also provide support for equipment and graduate and undergraduate students engaged with world-renowned faculty on cutting-edge research. Annual Report
Charles C. and John G. Gates Professorship in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Dr. Elham Asgari
This professorship was created with the intent to support the Center for Technology Innovation, Leadership, and Entrepreneurship (TILE) efforts to focus on existing models with activities that relate specifically to technology and engineering, in accordance with its mission and building on its existing strengths and resources. It will aim to prepare students to immediately, successfully enter business environments and/or to start their own businesses. Annual Report
Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professorship in Mathematical Sciences
Dr. Shuanglin Zhang
This professorship was created with the intent to provide support for an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Annual Report
Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor (Mechanical Engineering)
Dr. William Endres
This professorship was established with the intent to provide leadership in teaching and research in mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering.
Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor (Space Systems)
Dr. L. Brad King
This professorship was created with the intent to provide leadership in research and teaching in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics. Funds from this endowment will also provide support for equipment and graduate and undergraduate students engaged with world-renowned faculty on cutting-edge research.
Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor (Energy Systems)
Dr. Jeffrey Naber
This professorship was created with the intent to provide leadership in research and teaching in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics. Funds from this endowment will also provide support for equipment and graduate and undergraduate students engaged with world-renowned faculty on cutting-edge research.
Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor (Wind Energy)
Dr. Fernando Ponta
This professorship was created with the intent to provide leadership in teaching and research in mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering. Annual Report
Patrick S. Horvath Endowed Professorship
This position was created to attract high quality faculty who are at the top of their profession, can excite students to think beyond the classroom, and know how to integrate their research into the classroom. Annual Report
William and Gloria Jackson Professorship
Dr. Timothy Havens
This professorship was created with the intent to provide financial support for an outstanding faculty member in computer and information sciences. The holder will be an exceptional scholar and teacher whose expertise and activity bridges the disciplines of computer science, electrical and computer engineering and business entrepreneurship. Annual Report
Dave House Endowed Professorship
Dr. Keith Vertanen
This professorship was created with the intent to recruit and retain the most distinguished and highly sought nationally and internationally celebrated professors and support world-class research in the educational department specified by the donor.
House Professor in Computing
Dr. Daniel Fuhrmann
This professorship was created with the intent to recruit and retain the most talented faculty and support world-class research in computer engineering, computer science and information technology. The holder will be expected to demonstrate superior leadership skills in the conduct of his or her duties, with the objective of guiding and encouraging others to greater levels of performance. Annual Report
Dave House Endowed Professorship Statistics
Dr. Kui Zhang
This professorship was created with the intent to recruit and retain the most talented faculty and support world-class research in mathematical sciences, computer science, computer engineering and information technology. Annual Report
James and Lorna Mack Endowed Professorship in Continuous Improvement
This professorship was created with the intent to attract, reward and retain highly talented faculty and thereby assist in advancing the pursuit of new knowledge and innovative scholarship in chemical sciences and engineering. The Endowed Professorship in Continuous Improvement will have a focus on organic chemistry within the chemical engineering department.
Charles and Carroll McArthur Professorship in Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. Yun Hang Hu
This professorship was created with the intent to provide financial support for an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Annual Report
Franklin M. St. John Professor in Materials Science and Engineering
Dr. Walter Milligan
This professorship was created with the intent to assist the materials science and engineering department chair with expenditures such as research, start-up for new faculty, supporting graduate students and equipment.
James and Dolores Trethewey Applied Portfolio Management Program Professorship
Dr. Dean Johnson
This professorship was created with the intent of the holder to serve as the Director of the APMP program. This is in addition to maintaining and advancing the program's reputation through national and international competitions as well as taking advantage of the opportunities and changes in portfolio management education. Annual Report
Lou and Herbert Wacker Professorship in Mechanical Engineering
Dr. Sajjad Bigham
This professorship was created with the intent to retain and attract high quality faculty who are at the top of their profession, can excite students to think beyond the classroom material, and know how to integrate their research into the classroom.
Dennis Wiitanen Professorship in Electric Power Systems
The holder of this professorship will apply their leadership efforts toward the continued advancement of the energy systems program at Michigan Tech University to a truly world-class level. He or she must also be an outstanding recognized professional, active in professional societies, have a strong history of industrial, foundation and government funding and have demonstrated research and educational accomplishments in one or more areas of electrical power systems, wind, solar and other renewable energy technologies, smart grid technologies, cyber security, converters, motor drives and electrical vehicles and energy conversion and storage.
Richard Witte Endowed Professorship
This professorship was created with the intent to reward highly talented faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.
Portage Health Foundation Endowed Professor
Dr. Kelly Kamm
The holder of this position will exhibit a commitment to improving human health in general and in Houghton, Keweenaw, Ontonagon, and Baraga counties specifically. They will work with students pursuing health related research or professional interests, develop new knowledge through research, publications, and obtaining external funding to support research, have awareness of social determinants of health, and the ability to improve health awareness or outcomes-based research and recognized best practices, and will collaborate with community partners associated with outrach or health innovation research. This person will also serve as a liaison with the PHF.
Endowed Faculty Fellows
David L. and Marilyn A. Bernard Faculty Fellow in Business
Manish Srivastava
The "Bernard Fellow in Business" was created to retain and attract high quality faculty who are at the top of their profession, can excite students to think beyond the classroom material, and know how to integrate their research into the classroom. Annual Report
Chemical Engineering Endowed Faculty Fellow
Dr. Timothy Eisele
This position was created with the intent to provide financial support for an outstanding faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering with its goal to grow the graduate program. Annual Report
Mickus Endowed Faculty Fellow in Business Impact
Dr. Sonia Goltz
This fellowship was created to assist the College of Business with its priority need to attract, reward and retain highly talented faculty and with its goal to grow the accounting program.
Edward and Betty Robinson Endowed Faculty Fellow
Joel Tuoriniemi
This fellowship was created to assist the College of Business with its priority need to attract, reward and retain highly talented faculty and with its goal to grow the accounting program. Annual Report
Carl G. Schwenk Endowed Faculty Fellow in Applied Geophysics
Jeremy Shannon
This fellowship was created to provide students with practical knowledge and intuition, that when combined with exceptional instruction, promotes mobility for an impactful and rewarding career in the field of applied geophysics.
Richard and Joyce Ten Haken Endowed Faculty Fellow in Accounting/Finance
Dr. Jun Dai
This fellowship was created to assist the College of Business with its priority need to attract, reward and retain highly talented faculty and with its goal to grow the accounting program.
Richard and Joyce Ten Haken Endowed Faculty Fellow in Business
Junhong Min
This fellowship was created to assist the College of Business with its priority need to attract, reward and retain highly talented faculty and with its goal to grow the accounting program.
Witte Family Endowed Faculty Fellow in Mining Engineering
Snehamoy Chatterjee
This fellowship was created to build upon Michigan Tech's outstanding educational and research experiences and assist the University in attracting exceptional faculty, staff, and students.