Endowed Chairs, Faculty Honored by President Gormley at Reception

Newly installed President Ken Gormley welcomed Duquesne faculty at a special inauguration reception on Sept. 23 as part of Inauguration Week festivities on campus.

During the reception, Gormley presented the President’s Faculty Awards and recognized newly endowed faculty members. “It’s very special to me that this is part of the inauguration festivities,” Gormley said regarding the faculty honors. “I remain in great awe of the work by the faculty at Duquesne.”

Gormley was joined by Dr. Timothy R. Austin, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who assisted in recognizing those faculty who have served the University for 25 years.

President’s Faculty Awards for Excellence

Excellence in Scholarship

Dr. Clifford Bob, chair and professor of political science, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Bob’s recent research projects address rights as weapons in political conflict, the market for transnational activism, NGO representation and accountability, international justice, and human rights and the Internet.

Excellence in Teaching

Dr. James Purdy, associate professor English/writing studies and director of the University Writing Center, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Purdy’s research and teaching interests include digital writing and research practices, new media technologies (particularly digital archives and plagiarism detection technologies), composition and writing center theory, and intellectual property.

Endowed Chairs

The Edward V. Fritzky Chair in Biotechnology Leadership (five-year re-appointment)

Dr. Alan W. Seadler, executive faculty, Bayer School for Natural and Environmental Sciences

During his role as Fritzky Chair, Seadler developed Duquesne’s M.S. in Biotechnology program and led the process for approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. As associate provost for research and technology, Seadler oversees support for grants, research contracts, technology transfer, foundation relations and sponsored research with industry, as well as serving as compliance officer for the University’s human research protection, animal care and use, and biosafety obligations.

Established in 2004, the Fritzky Chair is endowed and named for Edward V. Fritzky, A’72, retired chairman, president and chief executive officer of Immunex Corp. This interdisciplinary professorship is designed to unite biotechnology initiatives on campus and beyond, as well as forge alliances with the biotechnology research community of greater Pittsburgh.

The Hillman Endowed Chair (five-year appointment)

Dr. Ellen Gawalt, chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences

Gawalt, whose post-doctoral fellowship work examined reaction kinetics at surfaces and the cellular response to surface changes, manages a research group that focuses on the surface chemistry of biomaterials and improving the tissue-material interaction. She is a member of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and is a recipient of both the University Creative Teaching Award and the Bayer School’s Excellence in Teaching Award.

Endowed by the Hillman Foundation, this professorship rotates among Duquesne’s schools.

Thomas J. and Marie C. Murrin Chair in Global Competitiveness—Palumbo-Donahue School of Business (three-year re-appointment)

Dr. Robert P. Sroufe, Jr., professor of sustainability, operations and supply chain management

Sroufe, who joined the Duquesne faculty in 2007, developed and teaches the business school’s courses Sustainability Theories and Models as well as Sustainable Tools and Processes for Driving Performance. He is currently developing new opportunities to integrate sustainability within the graduate and undergraduate curricula. In his research, Sroufe primarily aims to understand what drives sustainability performance and how firms can develop effective environmental management systems to enable the measurement and management of a triple bottom line.

Established in 1989, the Murrin Chair recognizes the importance of business competition in an international platform. The post is named for Thomas Murrin, a past chair of Duquesne’s board of directors who was dean of business from 1991 to 2000.

Anna Rangos Rizakus Endowed Chair in Health Sciences and Ethics—Rangos School of Health Sciences (five-year appointment)

Dr. Anne Burrows, professor of physical therapy

Burrows’ research focuses on primate feeding biomechanics, primate facial expression and its evolution, and non-vocal communication, as well as evolutionary comparisons of facial structures across humans and other species, and gender differences in bone structures. A lifetime member of the American Society for Mammalogists, Burrows is also involved with the American Association of Anatomists and the International Society of Primatology. She has received the Rangos School Award for Excellence in Scholarship.

Endowed through a gift from John Rangos, Sr., in memory of his mother, the Rangos Rizakus Chair spearheads the University’s expanded initiatives in health sciences ethics. Additionally, the chair holder provides guidance for interdisciplinary rehabilitation research at Duquesne and builds strong relationships between academic and industry partners working to enhance western Pennsylvania’s role in rehabilitation and ethical policy.

The Pierre Schouver, C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair in Mission (five-year appointment)

Dr. Rick McCown, professor of education, School of Education

McCown has served in the past as interim dean of the School of Education and as chair of the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership. His research focuses on the teaching-learning process and achieving social justice through collaborations across the boundaries of school, academy and community. McCown is the principal investigator for the University’s Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) and co-editor of the CPED White Paper Forum. A member of the University’s Research Hall of Fame, McCown has been recognized by the American Educational Research Association and the Pennsylvania Society of Teacher Scholars, among other organizations.

Founded in 2011, the Schouver Chair develops deeper conversation at Duquesne on the relationship between faith and cultures, a particularly important interest to Spiritans and a critical component of the University’s strategic plan.

Endowed Professorship

The Merle E. Gilliand Professorship in Entrepreneurial Finance—School of Business Administration (one-year position)

Dr. Peter Gianiodis, associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship

Gianiodis joined Duquesne this year as the inaugural Gillian Professor. He holds a Ph.D. in strategic management and entrepreneurship from the University of Georgia and has more than 10 years of banking industry and leadership development experience. Gianiodis’ research interests lie at the intersection of strategy, innovation management and entrepreneurship. His current projects examine the competitive dynamics of IPOs in China, the effects of academic entrepreneurship on commercialization and appropriation, open innovation in the global auto industry and models related to market entry timing.

The Gilliand Professorship was created in 2015 through a gift from the Merle E. and Olive Lee Gilliand Foundation. The Gilliand Professor possesses interests in entrepreneurial finance, angel and venture capital investing, IPOs, acquisitions, factors predicting successful investments, and due diligence processes.

25-Year Faculty

Dr. Michael Cahall, history department, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Dr. James Drennen, Mylan School of Pharmacy

Dr. Frederick Evans, philosophy department, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Dr. Susan Howard, English department, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Dr. Howard “Skip” Kingston, chemistry and biochemistry department, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences

Ms. Lynn Purse, Mary Pappart School of Music

Dr. Lynn Simko, School of Nursing