Endowed Chairs and Professorships
Endowed faculty positions provide lasting support for exceptional teaching, scholarship and academic leadership at St. Thomas.
Endowed faculty positions provide lasting support for exceptional teaching, scholarship and academic leadership at St. Thomas.
Endowed chairs and professorships help advance the University of St. Thomas mission by supporting excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Established through the generosity of alumni, families and friends, these positions recognize distinguished faculty and academic leaders whose work strengthens the university and enriches the student experience.
The academic experience at St. Thomas has been shaped by generations of benefactors and their endowments. Explore the endowed faculty positions below and the donors whose generosity supports this work.
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Supporting a distinguished deanship in the College of Arts and Sciences whose exceptional scholarship and leadership strengthen the liberal arts and inspire students to pursue lives of purpose.
Current holder: Open
Established: December 18, 2005
Donors: Alvin E. and Mary Agnes McQuinn
Supporting distinguished scholarship and teaching across the humanities, enriching the liberal arts and helping students engage enduring questions about human experience, culture and meaning.
Current holder: Open
Established: Priorities for the '80s Capital Campaign
Donors: Multiple Benefactors
Advancing Catholic leadership through exceptional faculty who connect faith, scholarship and practice, as they prepare students to lead with integrity and serve the common good.
Current holder: Open
Established: December 20, 2024
Donors: John W. and Paula D. Kelly
Advancing the intellectual and spiritual vitality of Catholic Studies by supporting distinguished faculty whose teaching and scholarship deepen understanding of the Catholic tradition and its relevance in contemporary life.
Current holder: Dr. Michael J. Naughton
Established: November 11, 1995
Donors: David A. and Barbara G. Koch
Elevating the study of art history and visual culture through outstanding teaching and scholarship that help students interpret images, objects and creative traditions that shape societies.
Current holder: Open
Established: January 12, 2026
Donors: Andrew S. Duff and Thomas D. Redshaw, PhD
Advancing Catholic social thought through exceptional scholarship and teaching, bringing the Catholic intellectual tradition into conversation with the ethical, economic and social challenges of our time.
Current holder: Msgr. Martin W. Schlag
Established: February 5, 1996
Donors: Rev. Alan W. Moss
Fostering exceptional scholarship at the intersection of theology and philosophy. Advancing rigorous inquiry into faith, reason, truth and humanity.
Current holder: Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk
Established: Priorities for the '80s Capital Campaign
Donors: Multiple Benefactors
Supporting outstanding scholarship and teaching in the social sciences. Deepening understanding of individuals, families and communities to help students address complex human and societal challenges.
Current holder: Dr. Audra Nuru
Established: Priorities for the '80s Capital Campaign
Donors: Multiple Benefactors
Strengthening the study and teaching of literature by supporting faculty whose scholarship and intensive reading courses invite students to explore the power of fiction, drama, poetry and nonfiction prose.
Current holder: Open
Established: July 1, 2023
Donors: Thomas D. Redshaw Ph.D.
Supporting a distinguished deanship for the Opus College of Business, strengthening a business education grounded in purpose, people, practical learning and principled leadership.
Current holder: Dr. Laura Dunham, Dean
Established: July 1, 2003
Donors: Gerald A. and Henrietta "Hanky" Rauenhorst
Advancing scholarship, teaching and professional leadership in risk management, helping organizations anticipate uncertainty, make responsible decisions and build resilience in a complex global environment.
Current holder: Open
Established: July 1, 2003
Donors: Dr. Edgar W. Blanch, Sr.
Fueling entrepreneurship education through distinguished faculty who turn ideas into action, connect students with a vibrant innovation ecosystem and prepare principled leaders to advance the common good.
Current holder: Dr. Danielle Ailts Campeau
Established: December 30, 2005
Donors: Best Buy Company / Dr. Richard M. Schulze
Elevating business ethics through influential teaching and scholarship that help current and future leaders navigate complex decisions, act with integrity and advance the common good.
Current holder: Dr. Christopher Wong Michaelson
Established: May 26, 1989
Donors: David A. and Barbara G. Koch
Advancing globally focused management scholarship and education, preparing leaders to understand international complexity, manage across cultures and create responsible value in an interconnected world.
Current holder: Dr. Peter C. Young
Established: June 23, 2004
Donors: 3M Foundation
Supporting exceptional teaching and scholarship in business administration and preparing students to lead organizations with skill, judgment and integrity.
Current holder: Dr. Janine Sanders Jones
Established: April 25, 2007
Donors: Daniel J. and Ruth Haggerty
Advancing teaching and scholarship at the intersection of global communications, technology and management, preparing leaders to guide organizations through rapid innovation and worldwide change.
Current holder: Dr. Sameer Kumar
Established: October 26, 1989
Donors: CenturyLink (originally Northwestern Bell)
Supporting distinguished faculty whose teaching and scholarship strengthen business education, deepen professional expertise and prepare students to make thoughtful, responsible decisions in complex organizations.
Current holder: Dr. Avinash Malshe
Established: July 1, 2003
Donors: Gerald A. and Henrietta "Hanky" Rauenhorst
Advancing entrepreneurship through field-shaping education that equips students to recognize opportunity, test ideas, build ventures and create meaningful economic and social value.
Current holder: Dr. David L. Deeds
Established: July 1, 2003
Donors: Dr. Richard M. Schulze
Supporting creative, entrepreneurial faculty and programs that help students transform creative ideas into viable ventures that are advanced through ethical leadership.
Current holder: Dr. David L. Deeds
Established: July 1, 2000
Donors: Dr. Richard M. Schulze
Bringing the insight of accomplished management practitioners into teaching and scholarship, connecting academic excellence with real-world leadership and significant contributions to the profession.
Current holder: To be named
Established: May 1, 2000
Donors: Thomas E. and Patricia M. Holloran
Providing enduring support for the Family Business Center’s leadership and programs, helping family enterprises navigate succession, governance, growth and the relationships essential to long-term success.
Current holder: Provides Programming Support
Established: July 1, 2021
Donors: Harry G. McNeely and family
Advancing marketing innovation through outstanding teaching and scholarship that explore emerging ideas, technologies and customer insights while preparing students to create value in a rapidly changing marketplace.
Current holder: Dr. Lisa Abendroth
Established: March 10, 2026
Donors: Michael J. and Tamara R. Hoffman
Supporting a distinguished deanship for Dougherty Family College and its distinctive model of rigorous academics, comprehensive support and clear pathways for scholars pursuing bachelor’s degrees and meaningful careers.
Current holder: Dr. Buffy Smith, Dean
Established: September 13, 2017
Donors: Drs. Eugene U. and Mary F. Frey
Advancing cutting-edge microgrid research, education and industry partnership to build a more reliable, resilient and sustainable electric grid while preparing students to lead the clean-energy transition.
Current holder: Dr. Mahmoud Kabalan
Established: January 1, 2025
Donors: The Bright Foundation / Jason Bright
Advancing globally minded technology leadership through outstanding teaching, applied scholarship and industry engagement that prepare professionals to guide innovation responsibly across organizations and borders.
Current holder: Multiple Positions
Established: April 29, 1999
Donors: Honeywell International Corporation
Supporting the study of technology through exceptional faculty, applied research and educational experiences that connect technical innovation with the needs of industry and society.
Current holder: Multiple Positions
Established: May 26, 1989
Donors: 3M Foundation
Supporting a distinguished deanship for the Morrison Family College of Health. Advancing visionary, academic leadership that prepares professionals to care for the whole person and promote health equity in communities.
Current holder: Dr. MayKao Y. Hang, Dean
Established: July 1, 2022
Donors: Drs. John M. and Susan S. Morrison
Supporting a distinguished deanship for the School of Law. Recognizing exceptional leadership and legal scholarship, strengthening a nationally respected law school committed to the integration of faith and reason.
Current holder: Jerome M. Organ, JD (Interim Dean)
Established: October 3, 2003
Donors: Patrick G. and Ann B. Ryan / Ryan Companies
Supporting distinguished legal scholars whose teaching, research and service strengthen the School of Law and advance the profession’s contribution to justice and the common good.
Current holder: Open
Established: August 23, 2002
Donors: Laurence F. and Jean LeJeune
Advancing clinical legal education that combines rigorous instruction with supervised practice, preparing students to serve clients skillfully, ethically and with a deep commitment to justice.
Current holder: Rachel Moran, JD
Established: September 1, 2014
Donors: Robins Kaplan LLP
Supporting distinguished legal scholarship and teaching that illuminate urgent questions of law and justice while preparing students to use their profession in service of the common good.
Current holder: Mark W. Osler, JD
Established: August 8, 1989
Donors: Robert E. and Marion D. Short
Supporting exceptional legal scholars whose teaching, research and professional engagement advance the School of Law’s Catholic mission and contribute meaningfully to the profession and society.
Current holder: Gregory C. Sisk, JD
Established: July 17, 2004
Donors: Drs. John M. and Susan S. Morrison
Supporting outstanding faculty and academic priorities in the School of Law, strengthening educational experiences that prepare students for lives of professional purpose.
Current holder: Robert A. Kahn, JD
Established: July 19, 2019
Donors: Drs. John M. and Susan S. Morrison
Supporting a faculty fellow dedicated to integrating faith and reason, enriching legal education through scholarship, teaching and service grounded in the search for truth and justice.
Current holder: Rev. Daniel F. Griffith, JD
Established: April 5, 2017
Donors: Brian D. and Kathleen Wenger
Advancing the study of legal education and professional formation through the Holloran Center, strengthening scholarship and programs that help lawyers develop competence, ethical judgment and a commitment to service.
Current holder: Jerome M. Organ, JD
Established: April 1, 2006
Donors: Earl E. Bakken
Supporting outstanding legal scholarship that strengthens professional formation and prepares students to practice law with excellence, integrity and a commitment to the common good.
Current holder: Open
Established: July 1, 2017
Donors: Thomas E. and Patricia M. Holloran
Supporting distinguished legal teaching and scholarship that deepen students’ understanding of law, ethics and professional responsibility while advancing the commong good within the profession.
Current holder: Elizabeth R. Schiltz, JD
Established: February 9, 2011
Donors: John D. Herrick
Advancing scholarship and teaching at the intersection of law and public policy to prepare students to engage in complex civic challenges. Honors James Oberstar, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975 to 2011.
Current holder: Thomas C. Berg, JD
Established: December 27, 2005
Donors: Multiple Benefactors
Establish an endowed chair or professorship and create lasting support for exceptional teaching, research and academic excellence. Contact a gift officer to create an endowed position that reflects your values and supports future Tommies.