University & Campus-wide Named Chairs

University Endowed Chairs

Walgreen Chair

Walgreen Chairs are held by individuals whose intellect and accomplishments place them among the most distinguished in their respective field(s), as affirmed by such recognition as Nobel or Pulitzer Prizes or by evidential works. The holders of the chairs shall be designated as “Walgreen Fellows.”

  • Michael Moore, Law

Campus-wide Endowed Chairs & Professors

Aiken Chairs

The Michael Aiken Chair was established in honor of former University Chancellor Michael Aiken for his devotion to enhancing the quality of teaching, research, and service across campus. The Michael Aiken Chair is supported by a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Campbell and other sources, and honors a distinguished faculty member on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

  • Jiawei Han, Computer Science
  • Andrew Leakey, Plant Biology

Ikenberry Chairs

The Ikenberry Endowed Chair was established in honor of Stanley O. Ikenberry’s tenure as the 14th President of the University of Illinois. The Ikenberry Chair is funded by a gift from Geraldine B. Cooke and other sources, and honors a distinguished faculty member on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

  • Charles Gammie, Astronomy; Physics
  • Stephen P. Long, Plant Biology; Crop Sciences

Swanlund Chairs

Swanlund Endowed Chairs are made possible by a gift from the late Maybelle Leland Swanlund, who received a degree in Library Sciences from Illinois in 1932. Ms. Swanlund died in 1993 and provided a $12 million endowment to attract leaders in the arts and sciences to the University and to recognize current faculty members who have made exceptional contributions in their fields.

  • May R. Berenbaum, Entomology
  • Antoinette Burton, History
  • Leon DeCosta Dash, Journalism
  • Nathan Gunn, Music
  • James Imlay, Microbiology
  • Klara Nahrstedt, Computer Science
  • Gene E. Robinson, Entomology
  • Nancy Sottos, Materials Science & Engineering

Gutgsell Chairs and Professors

Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell endowed appointments were established by Edward William and Jane Marr Gutgsell to promote faculty development and to ensure high achievement. Gutgsell professorships are five-year renewable term appointments and provide funds for scholarly activities associated with individual fields of distinction.

Gutgsell Chairs

  • Nancy Makri, Chemistry

Gutgsell Professors

  • Virginia Dominguez, Anthropology
  • Chrystalla Mouza, Curriculum and Instruction
  • Cynthia Oliver, Dance
  • Brent Roberts, Psychology
  • M. Taher Saif, Mechanical Science & Engineering

Presidential Humanities and Social Science Chairs

The Presidential Humanities and Social Science Chair appointments were established through an endowment from the University of Illinois President to support humanities and social science scholars whose research focuses on innovation and discovery.

  • Christopher Freeburg, English
  • D. Fairchild Ruggles, Landscape Architecture

Previous Recipients

See previous recipients of University and Campus-wide Named Faculty Appointments.