Several named chairs and professorships exist that recognize faculty excellence.
The following applies to all of the campuswide chairs and professorships below:
- Named chairs and professorships are typically for a three-year period and are renewable for a second term, based on a review of performance.
- Faculty currently holding one named professorship or chair may be considered for others; however, only one such appointment may be held at a time.
Applications for 2025-26 professorships are now available - deadline: March 1.
Learn more about the nomination process
Isaacson Professorship
The Isaacson Professorship is awarded on the basis of outstanding performance in research/creative activity. Appointments typically carry a $5,000 supplement to the recipient’s annual salary. Eligibility is limited to faculty holding the rank of Professor.
Current Isaacson Professors:
- Yu-Che Chen, School of Public Administration
- Alexey Krasnoslobodtsev, Department of Physics
- Wai-Ning Mei, Department of Physics
Frederick W. Kayser Chair
The Frederick W. Kayser Chair is awarded on the basis of outstanding performance in research/creative activity. Appointments carry a $5,000 supplement to the recipient’s annual salary. Eligibility is limited to faculty holding the rank of Professor.
Current Kayser Chairs:
- Christine Beard, School of Music
- Roni Reiter-Palmon, Department of Psychology
Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professorship
The Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professorship is awarded on the basis of outstanding performance in research/creative activity and teaching. The Kiewit Professorship typically carries a $5,000 supplement to the recipient’s annual salary. Eligibility is limited to faculty holding the rank of Professor.
Current Peter Kiewit Professors:
- Christina Dando, Department of Geography and Geology
- Jeremy Lipschultz, School of Communication
- Philip Nordness, Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders
- Peter Szto, School of Social Work
Regent/Foundation Professorship
The Regent/Foundation Professorship is awarded on the basis of outstanding performance in research/creative activity. The Regent/Foundation Professorship typically carries a $5,000 supplement to the recipient’s annual salary. Eligibility is limited to faculty holding the rank of Professor.
Current Regent/Foundation Professors:
- Paul Davis, Department of Biology
- Sam Hunter, Department of Psychology
- John Price, Department of English
James R. Schumacher Chair of Ethics
The James R. Schumacher Chair of Ethics recognizes an outstanding commitment to increasing knowledge, awareness, and application of the principles of ethics, tolerance, and understanding. The Schumacher Chair carries an approximate $10,000 supplement to the recipient’s annual salary and $10,000 annual stipend for professional and program development. Candidates must hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
Current Schumacher Chairs of Ethics:
- Erin Bass, Department of Management
- Todd Richardson, Goodrich Scholarship Program
D.B. and Paula Varner Professorship
The D. B. and Paula Varner Professorship is awarded on the basis of outstanding performance in research/creative activity and a demonstrated development of professional contacts and/or external funding. The Varner professorship typically carries a $10,000 supplement to the recipient’s annual salary. This professorship is open to all ranks.
Current Varner Professor:
- Sajda Qureshi, Department of Information Systems and Quantitative Analysis