These important endowed faculty positions are made possible only by the generosity of donors who believe strongly in the need to support an area of study that will benefit society. The minimums required to establish faculty endowments are:
- Professorship, $1,500,000
Endowed position for new and early-career faculty members - Chair, $2,000,000
Endowed position honoring a preeminent scholar in the field. - University Chair, $3,000,000
Endowed position recognizing a scholar having achieved international stature
Our Current Endowed Chairs
- Agricultural and Resource Economics
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Daniel B. DeLoach Endowed Chair in Agricultural Economics
Established 1994
Current Chair: Aaron Smith
Through his estate, Daniel Barton DeLoach established an endowed chair for the purpose of conducting research and teaching the economics of transporting agricultural and related products. DeLoach also gave generously to support undergraduate scholarships for students pursuing degrees in agricultural economics. In 1958, after a successful career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in which he rose to chief of the Margins and Cost Branch, DeLoach became a UC professor of agricultural economics, first serving at UCLA and then at UC Davis until he retired in 1971.
Donald H. & Miriam C. Stelling Chair in Agricultural Economics
Established 2003
Current Chair: Rachael Goodhue
Frank H. Buck, Jr. Chair in Agricultural Economics
Established 1994
Current Chair: Daniel Sumner
- Animal Science
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Sesnon Chair in Animal Science
Established 1977
Current Chair: Ermias KebreabThe Sesnon Endowed Chair in Animal Science supports a distinguished animal scientist who provides leadership in undergraduate and graduate teaching and in research for the Department of Animal Science. The chair holder is expected to have made distinguished research contributions in the field of animal science relevant to the biology and production of livestock or aquaculture species.
- Dean's Office
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Alexander and Elizabeth Swantz Endowed Specialist in Cooperative Extension
Established 2004
Current Chair: Edwin Grosholz
Donald G. Crosby Endowed Chair in Environmental Chemistry
Established 2010
Current Chair: Ronald Tjeerdema
John and Joan Fiddyment Endowed Chair in Agriculture
Established 1998
Current Chair: Gitta CoakerJohn Fiddyment, descended from Placer County farm pioneers dating back nearly 150 years, is the great-grandson of Elizabeth Jane Fiddyment who began farming in 1856. The John and Joan Fiddyment Endowed Chair in Agriculture supports research and teaching in the spirit of the Fiddyment family tradition of agriculture.
John E. Kinsella Chair in the Areas of Food, Nutrition and Health
Established 1994
Current Chair: Li TranThe John E. Kinsella Chair in Food, Nutrition and Health was established in 1994, after Dean Kinsella’s passing. The endowment was created using funds provided by General Foods that originally supported the late Professor Kinsella’s research in food science and human nutrition, with specific focus on the interrelationships between food, nutrition, and health. In keeping with Kinsella’s long-standing support and cultivation of junior faculty, the Kinsella Chair recognizes outstanding faculty members during the development stages of their careers.
Nora S. Gustavsson Professorship in Water Resources
Established 1998
Current Chair: Thomas Harter
Peter B. Moyle and California Trout Endowed Chair in Cold Water Fishes
Established 2014
Current Chair: Andrew Rypel
Russell L. Rustici Endowed Chair in Rangeland Watershed Science
Established 2011
Current Chair: Toby O'Geen
Russell L. Rustici Endowed Specialist in Cooperative Extension in Rangeland Watershed Science
Established 2009
Current Chair: Leslie Roche
W.K. Kellogg Endowed Chair in Sustainable Food Systems
Established 2006
Current Chair: Ryan GaltThe W.K. Kellogg Endowed Chair in Sustainable Food Systems provides leadership for the Agricultural Sustainability Institute and the UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program. The holder of this chair leverages these entities with research and teaching to foster a safe, healthy, and accessible food supply while building a national network of leaders in sustainability.
- Entomology and Nematology
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Evert and Marion Schlinger Chair in Insect Systematics
Established 1995
Current Chair: Jason BondThis chair was established through gifts from the Schlinger Foundation. It was the intent of Evert and Marion Schlinger that this endowed chair attracts and sustains scholars and scientists working in the area of the systematics of insects, including arachnids.
Howard Ferris Endowed Chair in Ecology and Management of Plant and Soil Nematodes
Established
- Environmental Science
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Michael and Joelle Hurlston Presidential Chair
Established
Current Chair: Frances Moore - Food Science and Technology
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Anheuser-Bush Endowed Professorship in Malting and Brewing Science
Established 1996
Current Chair: Glen FoxThe Anheuser-Busch Professorship in Malting and Brewing Sciences was established in 1996 by the Anheuser-Busch Foundation. The purpose of this professorship is to provide a permanent source of funding for teaching and research in malting and brewing sciences. A tenured faculty member shall hold the position, and should have a demonstrated passion for the brewer’s art and a scientific background in microbiology, biochemistry or food science. In addition to financially supporting the faculty professorship holder, the intent of the endowment is to also support students in their training in malting and brewing research.
Peter J. Shields Endowed Chair in Dairy Food Science
Established 1983
Current Chair: David MillsThe purpose of the Peter J. Shields Endowed Chair in Dairy Food Science is to provide continuous support for the chair holder to allow for the conduct of exemplary research, teaching, and continuous interaction with the dairy food industry.
- Human Ecology
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Robert M. Dorn & Natalie Reid Endowed Chair on Infancy
Established 2008
- Land, Air and Water Resources
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James G. Boswell Endowed Chair in Soil Science
Established 2005
Current Chair: William Horwath
Robert M. Hagan Endowed Chair in Water Management and Policy
Established 2005
Current Chair: Samuel Sandoval Solis - Nutrition
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Corinne L. Rustici Endowed Chair in Applied Human Nutrition
Established 2017
Current Chair: Christine Stewart
Corinne L. Rustici Endowed Chair in Human Nutrition
Established 2004
Current Chair: Francene Steinberg
Mars Inc. Endowed Chair in Developmental Nutrition
Established 2005
Current Chair: Patricia OteizaThe holder of the Mars, Inc. Endowed Chair in Developmental Nutrition focuses on research and information dissemination in the area of developmental nutrition, specifically the influence of diet on embryonic and fetal development. Correction of nutritional deficiencies during early in utero development could result in marked reductions in pregnancy complications and birth defects.
- Plant Sciences
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Agroecology Professorship in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Established 2018
Current Chair: Amelie Gaudin
John B. Orr Endowed Chair in Environmental Plant Sciences
Established 2003
L.D. Davis Professorship in Pomology
Established 1990
Current Chair: Thomas GradzielThe purpose of this professorship is to provide funding for research that will enhance, accelerate, and ensure the development of new and improved canning peaches, processing peaches, and peach-like varieties adapted to the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. Goals include using plant hybridization and genetic manipulation to provide the greatest varietal improvement, gain, and benefit to the California peach industry at the least cost and shortest time.
Melvin D. Androus Professorship for Rice Weed Control
Established 1996
Current Chair: Kassim Al-Khatib
Will W. Lester Endowed Chair in Pomology
Established 1986
Current Chair: Eduardo BlumwaldIn 1986, Will W. Lester established an endowed chair to advance research in the field of pomology. Mr. Lester received his undergraduate degree in horticulture from UC Davis in 1940. Following his service in World War II, he resumed his role as an orchardist with Lester & Lester in the Santa Clara Valley and became an active cooperator with UC Cooperative Extension. He developed new irrigation methods and innovative practices in fruit drying, and field tested newly developed insecticides. He also served as director of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and as a trustee with the UC Davis Foundation.
Kent J. Bradford Endowed Professorship in Seed Science
Established 2022
- Viticulture and Enology
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Darrell Corti Endowed Professorship in Food, Wine, and Culture
Established 2022
Ernest Gallo Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology
Established 1978
Current Chair: David BlockThe Ernest Gallo Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology was established to support excellence in research for a faculty member pursuing scientific advancement in the fields of enology and viticulture.
Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in Viticulture
Established 2000
Current Chair: Dario CantuThe Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in Viticulture honors the memory of Louis Peter Martini, a pioneering winemaker who studied viticulture and enology at UC Davis. The chair is intended to support excellence in viticulture research. Louis P. Martini is the son of wine dynasty founder Louis M. Martini. Their winery was one of the first wineries established after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Louis P. Martini studied at Davis when it was known as the University Farm; he studied under the mentorship of Professor Maynard Amerine.
Louise Rossi Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology
Established 2013
The Louise Rossi Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology, along with the Ray Rossi Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology, were created through an estate gift from the late Louise Rossi upon her passing in 2007. Louise Rossi and her brother, Ray, were ardent supports of the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis during their lifetimes. To honor both Louise and Ray Rossi, the Department of Viticulture and Enology, in consultation with Rossi’s estate executors, agreed that two endowed chairs should be established to support and attract faculty leaders in viticulture and enology at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis.
Marvin Sands Chair
Established 1999
Current Chair: David BlockThis endowed chair honors the late Marvin Sands, founder of beverage industry leader Canandaigua Industries Co., now known as Constellation Brands. When Marvin Sands passed away, his industry friends pledged more than $400,000 to establish an endowment in his honor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. Major contributors include Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc., the Goldring Family Foundation, and Wirtz Corporation. Canandaigua Industries was established in 1945. It grew from a small bulk-wine producer in the northeastern U.S. to an international, diversified, multibillion dollar beverage company.
Ray Rossi Endowed Chair in Viticulture and Enology
Established 2013
Current Chair: Hildegarde Heymann
Richard E. Kunde Endowed Chair in Viticulture & Enology
Established 2022
Stephen Sinclair Scott Chair in Enology
Established 1999
- Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology
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Dennis G. Raveling Endowed Waterfowl Chair
Established 1994
Current Chair: John EadieEven modest changes in agricultural practices and wetlands management can bring enormous benefits for the 20 percent of the nation's geese, swans, and ducks who live in or migrate through California's Central Valley. The birds reciprocate by helping farmers control weeds and mosquitoes. The Raveling Endowed Chair in Waterfowl Biology helps faculty pursue both basic research and its applications in farming, business, and public policy. The endowment enables the faculty holder to put graduate students into the field quickly and get vital research done.