New Endowments Boost Princeton’s University Professorships

Photo: Alumni Princeton EDU

PRINCETON, N.J.– Princeton University has announced the endowment of seven new University Professorships through significant gifts to its Venture Forward campaign. This prestigious honor, bestowed upon faculty demonstrating scholarly preeminence and exceptional contributions to research and teaching, has been held by only 73 members of the Princeton faculty since 1962, including Nobel laureates and Fields Medalists.

Among the newly endowed professorships is The U. Krishna Veeraraghavan ’99 and Sejal Shah University Professorship, established by alumni Sejal Shah and Krishna Veeraraghavan ’99. Shah, a board-certified dermatologist, is the founder and medical director of SmarterSkin Dermatology in New York City. Veeraraghavan is the global co-head of the mergers and acquisitions group at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

Regarding their gift, Krishna Veeraraghavan stated, “I’ve always been proud of Princeton’s single-minded pursuit of excellence. As Sejal and I thought about ways to give back, one of the things that became clear to us was the importance of attracting the best and brightest professors. By establishing this University Professorship, we hope Princeton will honor brilliant teachers who’ve not only produced world-class research — but who also have a capacity for even greater future growth.”

The additional endowed professorships include The William M. Addy ’82 University Professorship, endowed by Bill Addy and his wife, Lydia Addy. Margaret Martonosi, whose research in computer architecture has led to breakthroughs in classical and quantum hardware and software systems, was named the William M. Addy ’82 University Professor on May 26. Also established is The Andrew K. Golden University Professorship, by a group of donors to honor Andrew Golden, former president of the Princeton University Investment Company (PRINCO).

The Bruce R. Lauritzen University Professorship was endowed by Clark Lauritzen ’99 and the Lauritzen family in memory of Bruce R. Lauritzen, former head of First National Bank of Omaha. The Thor Johnson ’02 University Professorship was endowed by Carl “Thor” Johnson ’02, who earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from Princeton. The Neil A. Omenn ’68 University Professorship was made possible by a gift from Gilbert Omenn ’61 and Martha Darling *70, in memory of Gil’s brother, Neil A. Omenn ’68. Howard Stone, a leading engineering scholar and pioneer in fluid dynamics research, was named the Neil A. Omenn ’68 University Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in September 2024. Furthermore, an additional University Professorship has been committed by donors who wish to remain confidential at this time.

President Christopher L. Eisgruber emphasized the significance of these endowments: “The foundation of Princeton’s excellence is the quality of its faculty, and the University Professorship recognizes individuals who have produced transformative scholarship and are spectacular teachers. We are deeply grateful to the alumni and friends who have made a timeless commitment to Princeton’s educational mission by endowing these University Professorships.”

Gene Jarrett, dean of the faculty and the William S. Tod Professor of English, added, “University Professorships represent a unique opportunity for Princeton to recognize peerless educators who conduct world-class research and scholarship that can have a profound impact on the world. The professorships are a singular honor for Princeton faculty members who receive them. We are extremely grateful to the generous alumni and friends who have endowed them and for their commitment to Princeton’s academic excellence.”