Three faculty members named to endowed chairs

The trustees of Princeton University approved the creation of several new professorships at their Nov. 15 meeting and named three faculty members to endowed chairs.

"These professorships recognize extraordinary faculty members who are important scholars in their fields and teachers who contribute greatly to the intellectual life here at Princeton," said President Shirley M. Tilghman. "And I would like to express my gratitude to our loyal alumni, whose gifts of endowed chairs so significantly advance our academic mission."

All appointments were effective Sept. 1, 2003.

Anne-Marie Slaughter, dean of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and professor of politics and international affairs, was named the Bert G. Kerstetter '66 University Professor of Politics and International Affairs. Slaughter, who received her A.B. from the Woodrow Wilson School in 1980, writes and lectures widely on international law and foreign policy issues.

The newly endowed chair, which honors excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, was established by a gift from Bert G. Kerstetter, who graduated from Princeton in 1966 with a degree in philosophy.

Vincent Poor, professor of electrical engineering, was named the George Van Ness Lothrop Professor in Engineering. Poor conducts research in advanced cellular and other wireless technologies. He also regularly teaches a general interest course, "The Wireless Revolution," which is one of the most popular undergraduate courses at Princeton.

The professorship was established from a 1970 gift by a bequest of Marion Lewis Lothrop, widow of class of 1908 member George V. Lothrop. George Lothrop received a graduate degree in electrical engineering from Princeton in 1910.

David Tank, professor of molecular biology and physics, was named the Henry L. Hillman Professor in Molecular Biology. Tank develops and applies physics-based measurement techniques to study dynamic aspects of the nervous system, from the level of single neurons to the whole brain. He currently is investigating a form of neural activity important in holding and manipulating information in short-term memory.

The professorship was established in 1987 by gifts from philanthropist Henry L. Hillman, class of 1941, and the Hillman Foundation.

The University will name distinguished faculty members to the following two chairs in the future: The Edward E. Matthews, Class of 1953, Professorship in Finance and the Frederick L. Moore, Class of 1918, Professorship in Finance.

More details are available in a news release.

Contact: Eric Quinones (609) 258-3601