Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Endowed Chairs and Distinguished Professorships


The John Cranford Adams Chair in the Humanities: Established in 1965 by the Hofstra Alumni Association, honors Hofstra’s President Emeritus Adams. The Chair brings distinguished visiting scholars to the University. Dr. Adams was president of Hofstra from 1945 to 1965. He was a noted Shakespearian scholar with works represented in the Folger Library.

The Donald E. Axinn Endowed Distinguished Professor in Ecology and Conservation at Hofstra University was established in 1987 by gifts from Donald E. Axinn. Mr. Axinn is a Hofstra alumnus, a Hofstra trustee, and a real estate developer. Under this professorship, a program of public awareness in ecology and conservation will be developed with special application to the Long Island environment. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Jason Williams.

The Bernon Family Endowed Distinguished Professor in Business was established in 1991 by the Bernon Brothers Foundation. Alan Bernon is a Hofstra alumnus, a Hofstra trustee, and an outstanding business and community leader. The distinguished professorship was established in support of the dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business as an indication of leadership in the field of business education as well as in the business community.

The Alexander M. Bickel Distinguished Professor was established in 1983 by several persons, including two graduates of the Yale Law School, where Professor Bickel was one of the more prestigious faculty members. He was a nationally prominent professor of constitutional and communication law. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Richard K. Neumann, Jr.

The Sardarni Harbans Kaur Chair in Sikh Musicology was established in 2008 by Dr. Hakam Singh to support the establishment of the first chair in Sikh Musicology in the United States. The chairholder is to be a member of the Department of Music (or Religion) who will develop and teach courses in the academic study of Sikh and South Asian music, publish in the area of Sikh musicology and/or engage in the public performance of Sikh music. The Endowed Chair is currently held by Associate Professor of Music Professor Francesca Cassio.

The Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Endowed Chair in Sikh Studies is endowed by Mr. Ishar Singh Bindra and Family in honor of Mr. Bindra’s wife and family matriarch Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra. Established in 2000, the chair is designed to promote the academic study of Sikh religion, culture, and history. The endowment supports the appointment of a faculty member in Sikh Studies, builds the University Library’s holdings in Sikhism, provides scholarship assistance to students interested in Sikh religion and culture, and funds annual conferences and lectures directed toward the academic community as well as the general public. The Endowed Chair is currently held by Professor Balbinder Singh Bhogal.

The Andrew M. Boas and Mark L. Claster Distinguished Professor in Civil Procedure were established in 1986 by gifts from two graduates of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, Andrew M. Boas, Class of 1980, and Mark L. Claster, Class of 1977. The purpose of the Professorship is to promote research, lectures, and other scholarly activities relating to laws designed to endure the fair and efficient resolution of civil disputes. The Professorship is currently held by Norman Silber.

The Robert E. Brockway Endowed Distinguished Professor was established in 2007 in honor of the former Hofstra marketing professor and Board of Trustees member. This distinguished professorship was endowed by Mr. Brockway’s son, Peter C. Brockway. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Yong Zhang.

The Brodlieb Distinguished Professor in Business was established in 1984 through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brodlieb (Ken and Judy) and Theodore Brodlieb. The Brodliebs firmly believe in a business developing a close relationship with the surrounding community and its responsibility to society in general. This gift reflects their especially strong commitment to quality higher education on Long Island. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Anil Mathur.

The Richard J. Cardali Distinguished Professor in Trial Advocacy was established in 1989 in memory of Richard J. Cardali, who was a prominent attorney specializing in plaintiff’s negligence work. Mr. Cardali devoted a substantial amount of his time and energy to teaching advocacy skills to other lawyers and to law students. The Professorship promotes the continued training of advocacy skills. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Stefan Krieger.

The Edward F. Carlough Chair in Labor Law, established in 1981, honors Edward F. Carlough, President Emeritus of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, is funded by a gift from the Sheet Metal Workers International Association and reflects the strong labor law discipline of the Hofstra School of Law. It supports the Labor Law Forum, a scholarly publication, and the annual Edward F. Carlough Labor Law Conference.

The Chaykin Endowed Chair in Accounting was established in 1990 through the proceeds from the Chaykin continuing professional education programs at Hofstra University. Professor Irving J. Chaykin is a nationally prominent professor of accounting and founder of the Chaykin CPA Review Program. The Chair was established to encourage and reward excellence in research and teaching. The Chair is currently held by Dr. Ralph S. Polimeni, a faculty member with a distinguished background in the field of accounting.

The Chaykin Distinguished Professor in Accounting was established in 1989 through the proceeds from the Chaykin continuing professional education programs at Hofstra University. Professor Irving J. Chaykin was a nationally prominent professor of accounting and a founder of the Chaykin CPA Review Program. The Professorship is currently held by Dr. Jacqueline Burke.

The Cypres Family Distinguished Professor in Legal Studies in Business in the Frank G. Zarb School of Business shall be awarded to a full professor in the Zarb School of Business who is a member of the Accounting, Taxation and Legal Studies in Business Department. The recipient should have a national reputation for scholarship in legal studies in business (business law). This Professorship is currently held by Professor Victor López.

The Robert F. Dall Distinguished Professor in Business was established by Robert F. Dall in 1989. Robert F. Dall was a Hofstra alumnus and a Hofstra trustee who had a prominent career in finance and investments. This Professorship is currently held by Professor Andrew Spieler.

The Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor in Constitutional Law, established in 1986, is supported by a gift from Maurice A. Deane, a member of the Hofstra University School of Law Class of 1981. Its purpose is to encourage scholarly research, professional conferences, and other appropriate studies of constitutional law. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Julian Ku.

The Jack and Freda Dicker Distinguished Professor in Health Care Law, established in 1985 by gifts from Mr. Ernest Dicker and his brothers Stanley and Daniel Dicker in honor of their late father and mother. The Dicker family is a leader in institutional health care for the aged. The Professorship supports the curriculum in health care law will be developed, and research, conferences, and other professional scholarly activities in the field of health care law will be undertaken. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Janet Dolgin.

The Joseph l. Dionne Endowed Chair for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership was established in 2007 through the generosity of the Joseph L. Dionne Foundation to promote teaching, research, and scholarly activity in education, educational leadership, and human services. The Chair addresses areas such as the creation of innovative learning communities and those that address the needs of underserved populations of children and their families. The Endowed Chair is currently held by Dr. Laurie Johnson, professor of Counseling and Mental Health Professions in the School of Health Professions and Human Services.

Dorothy & Arthur Engle Distinguished Professor of Literature was established in 2014 through a bequest from the Estate of Robert Arthur Engle. It is named for Mr. Engle and his wife, Dorothy Manning Engle ‘46 B.S., ‘60 M.S.E and recognizes a renowned and preeminent literature scholar and teacher whose presence on the faculty enriches students’ educational experience and the university’s prestige and who demonstrates the type of scholarship worthy of such an award. The Distinguished Professorship is currently held by Professor Benita Sampedro Vizcaya.

The Adolph J. and Dorothy R. Eckhardt Distinguished Professor in Corporate Law was established in 1992 with gifts from Mr. Adolph J. Eckhardt and his wife Dorothy. The Professorship is designed to promote research, lecture series, and other scholarly activities in the field of corporate law. The Professorship is currently held by M. Patricia Adamski.

The Leo A. Guthart Distinguished Professor in Teaching Excellence was established in 1996 through the generosity of Dr. Leo A. Guthart, vice-chairperson of the Board of Pittway Corporation and chief executive officer of its Security Group. Dr. Guthart also has an exceptional record of service to Hofstra University including 20 years on the University’s Board of Trustees including three years as chair of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Guthart received a doctorate in business administration from the Harvard Business School and has taught at both Hofstra University and Harvard University. This Distinguished Professorship was established to recognize the role of the director of the Center for Teaching Excellence in promoting the University’s highest priority which is excellence in teaching. The Distinguished Professorship is currently held by Andrea S. Libresco, Professor of Learning, Teaching, and Technology. 

The Monsignor Thomas Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies honors Msgr. Thomas J. Hartman, whose career has been devoted to promoting the public’s understanding of Catholicism and the many ways Catholics and members of other faiths might learn from one another. Established in 2004, the chair is designed to promote the academic study of Catholic religion, culture, and history. The Chair is currently held by Professor Julie Byrne.

The Lawrence Herbert Distinguished Professor was established in 1996 through the generosity of Dr. Lawrence Herbert, president, and chief executive officer of Pantone, Inc., which is the world’s premier color standards company and color authority. Dr. Herbert is an alumnus and former member and vice-chairperson of the Hofstra University Board of Trustees. The Distinguished Professorship was established in support of the University’s provost and dean of faculties and in recognition of the provost’s overall leadership role in advancing the University’s educational mission. The Professorship is currently held by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Charles G. Riordan.

The Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies was endowed by Mr. Peter S. Kalikow in November 2006. The chair is designed to promote the academic study of the American presidency through teaching, scholarship, and periodic conferences on the presidency. The Chair is currently held by Professor Meena Bose.

The Peter S. Kalikow Distinguished Professor in Real Estate Law was established in 1987 by a gift from Peter S. Kalikow, a prominent real estate developer and Chairman and President of the H. L. Kalikow Company. The Professorship is designed to promote research, symposia, and other professional and scholarly activities in the field of real estate law and to enhance the curricula of the Law School in the fields of real property and real estate.

The Robert and Florence Kaufman Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies was created in 2007 to advance the academic study of Jews and Judaism at Hofstra. As a constituent of the Religion department, the Jewish Studies chair engages in the comparative discourse of multiple religious traditions; and as the hub of an interdisciplinary program, the Jewish Studies chair integrates the fields of Jewish religion, literature, culture, and history. The Chair is currently held by Professor Santiago Slabodsky.

The Samuel M. Kaynard Distinguished Visiting Professor in Labor and Employment Law was established in 2000 by the family and friends of Samuel M. Kaynard, a distinguished educator and practitioner in the labor and employment law area, who was a professor of law at Hofstra University School of Law. The Professorship supports the appointment of a visiting professor each year who will teach a course in the labor or employment area.

The Joseph Kushner Distinguished Professor in Civil Liberties Law was established in memory of the late Joseph Kushner, who headed a real estate concern involved in development and acquisitions in New Jersey. He was a survivor of the Holocaust and was keenly interested in the protection of civil liberties. The Professorship is endowed by contributions from his son, Charles Kushner, a graduate of the Maurice A. Deane School of Law Class of 1979. It promotes scholarly activities in civil liberties law. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Barbara Stark.

The Howard Lichtenstein Distinguished Professor in Legal Ethics was established in memory of Howard Lichtenstein, the late senior partner of the law firm of Proskauer Rose Goetz and Mendelsohn. The Professorship is endowed by that law firm and by friends of Mr. Lichtenstein. It supports planned monographs, lectures, and other scholarly activities in the field of legal ethics. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Ellen Yaroshefsky.

The Emily and Stephen Mendel Distinguished Professor was established in 2019 through the generosity of Emily and Stephen Mendel, Hofstra Law graduates from the class of 1977. The Professorship is awarded to either tenure or non-tenure-track faculty member, who serves as a leading voice within the Law School and to the outside legal and local community on issues relating to access to justice.  The Professorship is currently held by Professor Jennifer Gundlach.

The Walter H. “Bud” Miller Distinguished Professor in Business, established in 1980 in recognition of Mr. Miller’s business acumen, community involvement, and concern for higher education. Its purpose is to foster teaching, research, and training in the field of marketing and management. The Professorship is currently held by Dean Janet Lenaghan.

The Jean Nerken Distinguished Professor in Engineering was established in 1990 through the generosity of Mr. Albert Nerken, noted engineer and inventor, in honor of his wife. The Professorship is designed to recognize and encourage outstanding teaching, research, and leadership in the field of engineering sciences. The Professorship is currently held by Dean Sina Rabbany.

The Harry H. Rains Distinguished Professor in Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Settlement Law, established in 1983, is supported by a gift from Muriel and Harry H. Rains of Locust Valley. Mr. Rains, a senior partner in the law firm of Rains and Pogrebin of Merrick, distinguished himself in this area of law and was one of the founding members of the National Academy of Arbitrators. The Professorship enables the development of publications, research, symposia, and a curriculum of dispute settlement methodology as an alternative to courtroom litigation. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Robert A. Bush.

The RMI Distinguished Professor in Business was established in 1989 through the generosity of several noted retailers and retail-related firms. It is designed to promote teaching, research, and training in the fields of retailing and retail management. The Professorship is currently held by Dr. Boonghee Yoo, a faculty member with an outstanding record of teaching and scholarship in the field of business.

The Rivkin Radler Distinguished Professor was established in 1987 and funded by Rivkin, Radler, Dunne & Bayh, a prominent Nassau County law firm now known as Rivkin Radler LLP. The Professorship will expand and develop new courses in environmental law and will be the center for scholarly and professional activities in the environmental law field. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Mitchell M. Gans.

The Queensboro UNICO Foundation Professor in Italian and Italian American Studies was established by Queensboro UNICO, a chapter of UNICO National, an Italian-American service organization with more than 125 chapters nationwide. The Queensboro chapter established an Italian and Italian American studies professorship at Hofstra as a means of preserving Italian and Italian-American culture and highlighting Italian-American contributions to American life in a positive light. The inaugural professorship was held by Dr. Pellegrino D’Acierno and is currently held by Professor Stanislao Pugliese.

The Dr. Mervin Livingston Schloss Distinguished Professor for the Study of Disabilities was established in 1983 by Dr. Schloss in memory of his parents, Lillian and Hyman Schloss. Dr. Schloss has had a distinguished career in dentistry in addition to being closely identified with civic, professional, fraternal, humanitarian, and philanthropic causes. The Distinguished Professorship is currently held by Professor Craig M. Rustici.

The Eric J. Schmertz Distinguished Professor in Public Service and Public Law was established in 1993 in honor of Eric J. Schmertz, the Edward F. Carlough Distinguished Professor of Labor Law and Dean of the School of Law from 1982 to 1989. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Eric Lane.

The Max Schmertz Distinguished Professor, established in 1982, honors and perpetuates the memory of Max Schmertz, a business and political leader of the city of New Rochelle. It is funded by grants from Eric J. Schmertz, former Dean of the Hofstra School of Law, and Herbert Schmertz, former vice president, Mobil Corporation. It supports a Distinguished Lecture Series in various legal disciplines. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Linda Galler.

The Sidney and Walter Siben Distinguished Professor in Family Law and Torts was established in 1984 and is supported by a gift from the law firm of Siben & Siben. Its purpose is to promote scholarly research, conferences, and publications in the field of family law. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Andrew Schepard.

The Honey and Arthur Sorin Distinguished Teaching Fellow in Business was established in 1988 through the generosity of Honey and Arthur Sorin. The Teaching Fellow was established to recognize the important contribution made by Hofstra adjunct faculty. First priority in selecting the recipient is given to senior Hofstra University administrators presently teaching as adjunct faculty members in the School of Business. The Teaching Fellow is also responsible for the annual Sorin Conference on Mediation which brings together leaders of labor, business, and the public sectors to discuss the crucial issues in this area.

The C.V. Starr Distinguished Professor in Finance and International Financial Services was established in 2003 by the Starr Foundation, supporting its ongoing relationship with Hofstra and acknowledging the critical discipline of global financial and business education. The C.V. Starr Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Finance and International Financial Services is awarded to a finance department faculty member engaged in ongoing scholarly research and production and other professional activities. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Ehsan Nikbakht.

The C.V. Starr Distinguished Professor in Finance and Investment Banking was established in 2004 by the Starr Foundation, supporting its ongoing relationship with Hofstra and acknowledging the critical discipline of investment banking operations and capital raising. The C.V. Starr Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Finance and Investment Banking is awarded to a finance department faculty member engaged in ongoing scholarly research and production and other professional activities. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Ahmet Karagozoglu.

The Lawrence Stessin Distinguished Professor in Business History was established in 1989 through the generosity of Lawrence Stessin, Professor Emeritus of Management. This Professorship is currently held by Professor Edward J. Zychowicz.

The Lawrence Stessin Distinguished Professor in Journalism was established in 1998 through the generosity of the estate of Lawrence Stessin, former Professor Emeritus of Management and longtime journalist for The New York Times. This gift reflects Professor Stessin’s strong commitment to the important role of a free press in a democratic society. This Professorship is currently held by Professor Susan J. Drucker. 

The Harry H. Wachtel Distinguished Teaching Professor for the Study of Nonviolent Social Change was established in 1998 in memory of Harry H. Wachtel, a long-time civil rights activist who served as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s lawyer and one of his closest advisers. Its purpose is to promote teaching, research, and curricular development in the areas of nonviolent social change and peaceful conflict resolution. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Margaret Abraham.

The Benjamin Weintraub Distinguished Professor in Bankruptcy Law was established in 1984 to honor Mr. Weintraub’s accomplishments as an adviser and advocate for financially ailing businesses. Mr. Weintraub was counsel to Levin & Weintraub & Crames, a nationally prominent law firm that he co-founded in 1933 and was a member of the National Bankruptcy Conference. His numerous publications have contributed to the development of bankruptcy law.

The Mel Weitz Distinguished Professor in Business was established in 1982 in recognition of Mr. Weitz’s accomplishments in the field of business, his involvement in humanitarian causes, and his dedication to higher education on Long Island. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Debra R. Comer.

The Augustus B. Weller Chair, funded in 1963, brings an outstanding teacher and scholar to the University. The Chair was established by friends and admirers of Mr. Weller in recognition of his accomplishments as a Hofstra trustee, banker, educator, and dedicated servant of his community. As president of the First National Bank of Merrick, he guided its growth into the complex that became the Meadowbrook National Bank. When it merged with the Bank of North America, its name was changed to the National Bank of North America, later to become National Westminster Bank USA. 

The Siggi B. Wilzig Distinguished Professor in Constitutional Rights, established in 1985 by gifts from The Trust Company of New Jersey and the Wilshire Oil Company of Texas, honors Siggi B. Wilzig, New Jersey banker and philanthropist. Mr. Wilzig was chairman and president of The Trust Company of New Jersey and former chairman of the Wilshire Oil Company of Texas. The Professorship is designed to provide a curriculum in banking law and will conduct research, symposia, and other professional and scholarly activities in the field of banking law for the business and banking communities. The Professorship is currently held by Professor Eric Freedman.

Updated December 2023.