Eleven of UT Dallas’ most influential faculty members will be honored for their accomplishments at a virtual investiture ceremony June 24.
The faculty members — from the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences; the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences; the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science; the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the Naveen Jindal School of Management — will be celebrated by their colleagues, mentors, students and families in a tradition dating back five centuries.
Endowed chairs and professorships are the highest academic award the University can bestow on a faculty member. These endowments provide funds to advance research and instructional programs.
The investiture ceremony also recognizes the generosity of the donors who established the endowments. UT Dallas has 138 chairs and professorships that recognize the scholarship and research of senior faculty members.
“Our efforts to attract and retain top faculty in a competitive academic environment are assisted greatly by generous donors who help to establish these endowed positions,” said Dr. Inga Musselman, UT Dallas provost, vice president for academic affairs and the Cecil H. Green Distinguished Chair of Academic Leadership. “We are proud of our outstanding faculty and their work to provide exceptional education and mentorship for our students.”
Dr. Kevin Hamlen, professor of computer science, spoke of his appreciation of the recognition he’ll receive at the ceremony.
“I’m honored to serve as the Louis Beecherl Jr. Distinguished Professor, conducting cybersecurity research that bolsters our preparedness against digital threats and helping students learn to use scientific, mathematical and formal reasoning to approach hard cybersecurity problems,” Hamlen said. “Louis Beecherl’s deep commitment to serving his community through his military service, family and faith is such an inspiration to me and my students.”
Dr. Murat Kantarcioglu, professor of computer science, will be invested as an Ashbel Smith Professor. He said he is “humbled with the recognition of my contributions to UT Dallas over the years.
“Without the support of my colleagues in the computer science department, I believe I would not be able to contribute as much to the University. I am grateful to them.”
List of Investees
School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Dr. Theodore John Price
Ashbel Smith Professor
Dr. Angela Shoup
Ludwig A. Michael MD Callier Center Executive Directorship
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Dr. Rodney J. Andrews
Fellow, Vibhooti Shukla Professor of Economics and Political Economy
Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science
Dr. Stephanie Glenn Adams
Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair in Electrical Engineering
Dr. Kevin W. Hamlen
Louis Beecherl Jr. Distinguished Professor
Dr. Murat Kantarcioglu
Ashbel Smith Professor
Dr. Bhavani Thuraisingham
Founders Chair in Engineering and Computer Science
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Dr. Vladimir Gevorgyan
Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in Chemistry
Dr. David W. Hyndman
Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Distinguished University Chair
Dr. Bruce M. Novak
Francis S. and Maurine G. Johnson Chair
Naveen Jindal School of Management
Dr. Elena Katok
Ashok and Monica Mago Distinguished Professor in Management*
Also appointed to endowed positions but unable to participate in the virtual ceremony:
School of Arts and Humanities
Dr. S. Deborah Kang, Fellow, Anne Stark Watson and Chester Watson History Professor
Dr. Amy Kerner, Fellow, Jacqueline and Michael Wald Professorship in Holocaust Studies
Dr. Michael L. Thomas, Richard R. Brettell Distinguished University Chair
Naveen Jindal School of Management
Dr. Zhiqiang (Eric) Zheng, Ashbel Smith Professor*
* Deferred from 2019