SoCal Philanthropists Help Set Up Jagdish N. Sheth Marketing Professorship At Emory

India-West Staff Reporter

ATLANTA, GA – Emory University’s Goizueta Business School has announced the creation of the Dr. Jagdish N. Sheth Endowed Professorship in Marketing, a new academic chair established to acknowledge the influential scholar’s contributions to the field. A global search is now underway to appoint a senior academic to this distinguished position.

A significant portion of the funding for this professorship comes from Manu and Rika Shah, co-founders of MS International, of Southern California.

Sheth, a Professor of Business at Goizueta, has been instrumental in shaping contemporary marketing thought over a career spanning six decades. His extensive body of work includes more than 350 research papers and 30 books, covering diverse areas such as consumer behavior, relationship marketing, and emerging markets. Before joining Emory in 1991, he held faculty positions at several other institutions, including MIT, Columbia University, and the University of Southern California, further cementing his broad influence.

Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves noted the university’s intent with the endowment, stating, “With this endowed professorship, we honor Dr. Sheth’s landmark scholarship and the profound impact of his teaching at Emory University.”

In a joint statement, the Shahs articulated their motivation, expressing “profound admiration for Dr. Jagdish Sheth—a visionary scholar, global marketing guru, and treasured member of our extended family.” Their support is not just a recognition of his academic and business acumen, but also “a heartfelt salute to Manu’s cousin, Mrs. Madhuben Sheth, whose grace and strength have been the foundation of their remarkable journey together.” The Shahs emphasized their hope that “this chair inspire generations to come,” underscoring their belief in the lasting impact of Dr. Sheth’s legacy on both academia and society.

The newly established Dr. Jagdish N. Sheth Endowed Professorship is designed to foster innovative research in critical areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), analytics, sustainability, and global consumer behavior. This endowment is intended to ensure that Goizueta continues to attract leading faculty and enhance student learning for the foreseeable future.