| Geosciences Chairs and Professorships |
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Endowed chairs and professorships have roots as far back as the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who endowed chairs for the major schools of philosophy. In today's higher education system, the designations are among the highest distinctions a university can bestow on its faculty, a recognition that honors both the holder and the donor. In the College of Geosciences, these positions are used to recruit, retain, and reward highly productive and distinguished faculty members as well as advance the College's goals and mission. The title conveys prestige, visibility and financial support in recognition of a holder's accomplishments. The support is intended to reward and encourage creativity, originality and inventiveness in the holder's approach to research, teaching and mentoring. In return, the honor requires a continued record of outstanding leadership and a renewed commitment and responsibility to students, to the discipline and to the College of Geosciences. Honorees are chosen through a rigorous peer process. The Dean appoints all endowed chairs and professorships on the advice of an advisory committee. The committee comprises active Distinguished Professors in the College, one Dean from another college at Texas A&M University and one full professor from each department. The College of Geosciences currently has ten endowed chairs and nine endowed professorships. Donors must pledge $1 million for endowed chairs and $200,000 for professorships. The following faculty currently hold the listed chairs or professorships.
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