The College of Business Professorship Program is designed to help the college recruit and retain faculty members whose research, teaching and service uniquely contribute to the mission of the College of Business. Endowed professorships are established by donations ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 and provide earnings of at least $5,000 per year to support scholarly research and teaching activities. The College of Business currently has six endowed professorships and hopes to expand this number to ten in the near future. Below are the six current professorships:
Edwards Professorship of Banking
The Edwards Professorship was established in 1984 by friends of Gene Edwards to provide an endowment for funding the Edwards Professorship of Banking. The professorship is in honor of Gene Edwards, a distinguished Texas banker who enhanced both business and community development through his leadership at the First National Bank of Amarillo. Dr. Nick Gerlich is the current Edwards Professor of Banking.
Edwards Professorship of Finance
The Edwards Professorship was established in 1984 by friends of Gene Edwards to provide an endowment for funding the Edwards Professorship of Finance. The professorship is in honor of Gene Edwards, a distinguished Texas banker who enhanced both business and community development through his leadership at the First National Bank of Amarillo. Dr. Anne Macy is the current Edwards Professor of Finance.
Gensler Professorship of Computer Information Systems
The Gensler Professorship was established in 2007 by friends and former students of Dr. Phil Gensler to provide an endowment for funding the Gensler Professorship of Computer Information Systems. The professorship is in honor of Dr. Phil Gensler, a distinguished computer information systems professor who, through 20 years of professional leadership and dedication to students, provided exceptional opportunities for graduates in computer information systems. The Gensler professorship will be filled during the 2008-2009 academic year.
McCray Professorship of Business
The McCray Professorship was established in 2007 by James B. and Mogie R. McCray to provide an endowment for funding the McCray Professorship in Business. The professorship recognizes the McCray family as generous business leaders promoting high quality instruction and scholarship in the Texas Panhandle. Dr. Darlene Pulliam is the current McCray Professor of Business.
Pickens Professorship of Business
The Pickens Professorship was established in 2007 by Mr. T. Boone Pickens, a distinguished oil and gas industry leader. The professorship is created for the purpose of stimulating academic excellence, enhancing creative thought and challenging business students at West Texas A&M University. Dr. Karyn Friske is the current Edwards Professor of Finance.
Hickman Professorship of Marketing
The Hickman Professorship was established in 2008 by Happy State Bank to provide an endowment for funding the Hickman Professorship of Marketing and Business. The professorship is in honor of Mr. J. Pat Hickman, a Texas Panhandle banker that provides leadership to Happy State Bank with a spirited entrepreneurial vision. The Hickman Professorship will be filled during the 2008-2009 academic year.
