The University of Texas at Dallas celebrated 14 of its most distinguished faculty members and recognized the benefactors who established their endowed positions during the 2023 Investiture Ceremony on April 14. Considered the highest academic honor a university can bestow, chair and professorship endowments provide faculty with funds to advance their scholarly activities and support research. UT Dallas has more than 140 endowed chairs and professorships. During the ceremony, UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson said the donors who create the endowments ensure the vitality of UTD’s academic and scientific efforts. “Endowments are integral to the University’s ability to draw from the most distinguished scholars in their fields,” said Benson, who holds the Eugene McDermott Distinguished University Chair of Leadership.