Furman announces new endowed professorships

Furman University announced this week that four faculty members have been appointed to endowed professorships at the university.

Two of the new professorships are lifetime appointments, while the other two are for limited terms.

“These outstanding professors were selected in recognition of their record of teaching, scholarship and service to Furman,” said Dr. John Beckford, Furman’s Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. “The University is fortunate to have the support of generous donors who understand the value of a strong faculty and the resources needed to help in its development.”

Here are the new appointments:

• Leslie Hicken was named the Charles Ezra Daniel Professor of Music, a lifetime appointment. Hicken joined the university in 1993 and earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University.

• Joni Tevis was selected as the Bennette E. Geer Professor of Literature, a lifetime appointment. Tevis, an Associate Professor of English, joined the university in 2008 and received her Ph.D. from the University of Houston.

• Lisa Knight, Associate Professor of Religion and Asian Studies, was named the James B. Duke Professor of Asian Studies, a three-year appointment.  She joined the university in 2004 and earned her Ph.D. from Syracuse University.

• Nathaniel Cook was selected as the Robert E. Hughes Associate Professor of Economics, a three-year appointment. Cook joined Furman in 2008 and received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.

Gifts from donors and foundations support 24 endowed lifetime professorships and nine rotating (limited term) professorships at Furman.

For more information, contact Furman’s News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.