Today, the College of Engineering has approximately 400 research and tenure-track faculty — highly skilled educators and investigators who are frequently the objects of nationwide searches by other institutions. The competition for faculty of this quality has become increasingly intense. Endowed professorships are one of the strongest incentives the College has for recruiting, retaining and rewarding such notable individuals in all areas of engineering. The freedom of an endowment also makes it possible for faculty to support new teaching projects, allocate seed money for research, purchase essential equipment and provide financial assistance for students.

The Progress & Promise: 150th Anniversary Campaign created 17 new endowed professorships, bringing the total at the College to 42 and ensuring that Michigan Engineering maintains its competitive position.

Vincent T. and Gloria M. Gorguze Professorship of Engineering

Vincent Gorguze (BSE Mtl ’41) and Gloria, his wife, established the Vincent T. and Gloria M. Gorguze Professorship, an endowment that supports a College of Engineering professor for a five-year renewable term. Gorguze was also a prime mover in the campaign to finance the new Robert H. Lurie Nanofabrication Facility.

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In 2005, Peter Green joined the faculty as chair of the Department of  Materials Science and Engineering and was named the Vincent T. and Gloria M. Gorguze Professor of Engineering. He’s also a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and investigates thin films, the properties of polymers at the nanoscale, and nanocomposites.

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Bredt Family Professorship

In 2000, Thomas Bredt (BSE SE ’62) and Polly (AB ’63, CERTT ’63), his wife, endowed the Bredt Family Professorship. The Bredts also made a leadership gift to restore and expand the University of Michigan Museum of Art. They presented an additional challenge gift for essential Museum needs.

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Trevor Mudge, Bredt Family Professor of Engineering, teaches in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He researches new ways to build and apply computers in the Advanced Computer Architecture Lab.

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DTE Energy Professorship of Advanced Energy Research

The DTE Energy Foundation made a pledge to the College of Engineering and the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute (MMPEI) to create the DTE Energy Professorship of Advanced Energy Research to support a faculty member whose research will include alternative energy sources, energy storage and conversion, transportation, fuels or sustainability. This high-profile position will bolster Michigan Engineering’s research and teaching, while preparing tomorrow’s energy leaders.

The grant was one of the largest the DTE Energy Foundation has ever made. The DTE Energy Professorship of Advanced Energy Research has yet to be named.

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