Endowed Chairs and Professors
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is privileged to have the support of generous donors who invest in attracting and retaining the most brilliant and influential scholars to CAES. An endowed Professorship or Chair is the highest honor that CAES can bestow upon a faculty member, and the work done by individuals holding these positions is a driving force behind the impact that CAES makes on agriculture in the state of Georgia and beyond.
Richard B. Russell Agriculture Professorship
The Richard B. Russell Professorship in Agriculture was established through the generosity of the Richard B. Russell Foundation, Inc. The Professorship was meant to strengthen the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and to pay tribute to Senator Russell’s keen interest in agriculture through his career.
R. Harold and Patsy Harrison Chair in Poultry Science
The R. Harold and Patsy Harrison Chair in Poultry Science was established through the generosity of the R. Harold and Patsy Harrison Foundation. This position was created in an effort to strengthen the poultry science department and is dedicated to the incumbent Department Head of Poultry Science to enhance the college’s ability to attract and retain professors for this leadership position.
David Bertioli
GRA/GSD Distinguished Investigator Endowment
The GRA/GSD Distinguished Investigator Endowment was established through the generosity of the Georgia Seed Development and the Georgia Research Alliance. This position was created to promote research in the field of agriculture.
Georgia Seed Development Professorship in Peanut Breeding and Genetics
The Georgia Seed Development Professorship in Peanut Breeding and Genetics was established with support from Georgia Seed Development (GSD) to enhance the field of plant breeding, genetics, and genomics programs through professorships and research programs at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES).
William Terrell Distinguished Professor
The William Terrell Distinguished Professor was established through the generosity of Dr. William Terrell. This position is the oldest endowed position, established in 1854, at CAES and was created to recognize a faculty member who exhibits excellence in teaching.
GRA Eminent Scholar Chair in Crop Genomics
The GRA Eminent Scholar Chair in Crop Genomics was established through the generosity of the Georgia Research Alliance. The purpose of this position was to promote science and technology-driven economic development in the state of Georgia.
GA. Power Professorship in Environmental Remediation & Soil Chemistry
The Georgia Power Professorship in Environmental Remediation & Soil Chemistry was established through the generosity of Georgia Power with the purpose of providing leadership in molecular environmental science research at UGA. The Professorship established a nationally and internationally recognized research program on the impact of industrial and energy generation activities.
R. Harold Harrison Distinguished Professorship
The R. Harold Harrison Distinguished Professorship was established through the generosity of The Luther and Susie Harrison Foundation, Inc. This position was created with the desire to support and strengthen programs in the Poultry Science department within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Athletic Association Professorship in Environmental Turfgrass
The Athletic Association Professorship in Environmental Turfgrass was established by the UGA Athletic Association to support teaching and research in turfgrass science, focused on turfgrass management systems that enhance quality while minimizing impact.
Scott A Jackson
Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Synthetic Biology
The Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Synthetic Biology was established through the generosity of the Georgia Research Alliance. The purpose of this position is to focus on doing cutting-edge research in this field.
Georgia Seed Development Professorship in Soybean Breeding and Genetics
The Georgia Seed Development Professorship in Soybean Breeding and Genetics was established through the generosity of the Georgia Seed Development to create a supported position for a professor whose research focuses on soybean breeding and development. The goal of this position is to conduct research, promote education, and instill a sense of public service in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Herbert H. & Jean A. Ross Memorial Distinguished Professorship in Insect Systematics and Evolutionary Biology
The Herbert H. & Jean A. Ross Memorial Distinguished Professorship in Insect Systematics and Evolutionary Biology was established through the generosity of Charles Ross. This position was established through an estate gift in an effort to strengthen the entomology department by enhancing the department's efforts to recruit and retain outstanding faculty in the area of insect systematics and evolutionary biology.
Georgia Seed Development UGAF Professorship in Wheat Breeding and Genetics
The Georgia Seed Development UGAF Professorship in Wheat Breeding and Genetics was established through the generosity of the Georgia Seed Development Commission to promote research and education within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences with a focus on wheat breeding.
D. W. Brooks Professorship
The D.W. Brooks Professorship was established to pay tribute to the legacy of D.W. Brooks. These positions are awarded to professors who share Mr. Brooks’ passion for pioneering advances in agriculture, and who make notable contributions to the agriculture industry in Georgia and through the United States.
Gopinath (Gopi) Munisamy
Agricultural Marketing Distinguished Professorship
The Distinguished Professorship in Agricultural Marketing was established through the generosity of the Milton M. Ratner Foundation to support a professor who would strengthen the Agricultural Economics department.
Peggy Ozias-Akins
D. W. Brooks Professorship
The D.W. Brooks Professorship was established to pay tribute to the legacy of D.W. Brooks. These positions are awarded to professors who share Mr. Brooks’ passion for pioneering advances in agriculture, and who make notable contributions to the agriculture industry in Georgia and through the United States.
Vincent J. Dooley Professorship in Horticulture
The Vincent J. Dooley Professorship in Horticulture was established through the generosity of the Georgia Athletic Association to honor Athletic Director Vincent J. Dooley. This position was created to strengthen programs within the Department of Horticulture in the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Allan M. Armitage Professorship
The Allan M. Armitage Professorship was established by the Horticulture department, along with generous donors, to strengthen Horticulture programs in the College Agriculture of Environmental Sciences and to honor and recognize the contributions of Allan M. Armitage.
D. W. Brooks Professorship
The D.W. Brooks Professorship was established to pay tribute to the legacy of D.W. Brooks. These positions are awarded to professors who share Mr. Brooks’ passion for pioneering advances in agriculture, and who make notable contributions to the agriculture industry in Georgia and through the United States.
GRA Eminent Scholar Chair in Animal Reproductive Physiology
The GRA Eminent Scholar Chair in Animal Reproductive Physiology was established through the joint contributions of the Georgia Research Alliance and Prolinea Corporation in order to strengthen the Animal Reproductive Physiology program in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science.
H.M. Pulliam Chair
The H.M. Pulliam chair was established through the generosity of Dr. Mike Pulliam and his family to honor Henley Morris “H.M.” Pulliam, who became a teacher during the Great Depression to work towards a better way of life for rural youth. This position was created to honor H.M. Pulliam’s legacy to agriculture education and their family’s strong ties to the University of Georgia. It is the first named Chair in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
Orkin Distinguished Professorship in Urban Entomology
The Orkin Distinguished Professorship in Urban Entomology was established through the generosity of Orkin Pest Control to create a supported position for a professor who shall be engaged in teaching, research, public service, or a combination of such duties. The professor will conduct research and/or extension activities in the area of urban entomology.
John Bekkers Professorship in Poultry Science
The John Bekkers Professorship in Poultry Science was established through the generosity of the GoldKist Foundation to attract an exceptional thinker and innovator in poultry science to UGA. The John Bekkers Professorship was the first named Professorship in the Department of Poultry Science.
Ji/Georgia Vegetable Industry Distinguished Professorship in Plant Pathology
The Ji/Georgia Vegetable Industry Distinguished Professorship in Plant Pathology was established through the generosity of several industry leaders. This endowed position acknowledges the contributions of Dr. Pingsheng Ji and the Georgia vegetable industry in advancing knowledge and management of vegetable diseases in the state of Georgia and beyond.
Georgia Athletic Association Professorship in Food Choice, Obesity, and Health
The Georgia Athletic Association Professorship in Food Choice, Obesity, and Health Economics was established through the support of the UGA Athletic Association with the purpose of supporting a professor who promotes research and education in food choice, obesity, and health economics.
Vacant Positions
Koehler-Ayres Professorship
The Koehler-Ayers Professorship was established through the generosity of Dr. Balasubramanian Swaminathan (Swami) and his wife, Mrs. Mangal Swaminathan. The professorship in Food Science is named to honor Swami's mentors, Dr. Philip Koehler and Dr. John Ayers, who paved the way for Swami’s successful career in the United States.
Larry R. Beuchat Professorship for Annual and Perennial Ornamental Plant Research
The Larry R. Beuchat Professorship for Annual and Perennial Ornamental Plant Research was created through a generous gift from Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus Larry Beuchat. The goal of the position is to promote ornamental plant research and the partnership between the Department of Horticulture and the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
Michael A. Dirr Professorship
The Michael A. Dirr Professorship was established by generous donors with the purpose of recognizing the contributions of Michael A. Dirr and supporting the work and influence of a woody ornamental plant position in the Department of Horticulture.