AUBURN - Fifty Auburn University faculty members were awarded endowed professorships on August 26 as part of a strategic initiative undertaken by Auburn President Jay Gogue to recognize the exceptional merit of existing Auburn faculty.

During a targeted one-year campaign, the goal to fund 81 professorships was exceeded by more than 17 percent, with a total of 95 professorships being funded.

The College of Veterinary Medicine announced three professorships:

ARTHUR AND LOUISE ORIOLE PROFESSOR IN THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Created by Louise Burevitch in memory of her late husband, Arthur Oriole, the Arthur and Louise Oriole Professor honors veterinarian and Auburn alumnus Dr. Jeff Dineen ’80.  Dr. Dineen provides exceptional care to Mrs. Burevitch’s dog, Jake, in their hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina.

D. Michael Tillson, Professor of Small Animal Surgery, is the faculty recipient. Dr. Tillson is internationally recognized for his clinical expertise in general soft tissue surgery and for his collaborative research and publications. 

A dedicated and respected educator of veterinary students, interns, residents, and graduate students, Dr. Tillson received the SGA Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 2005 and the coveted Carl J. Norden/Pfizer Distinguished Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2006.

P. B. GRIFFIN PROFESSOR IN THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

The Griffin Family has generously supported the college by creating two professorships, the first of which is the P.B. Griffin Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Joyce Griffin and her late husband, Gary, have supported the college’s  Large Animal Teaching Hospital and the small animal critical care program.  Mrs. Griffin lives in Huntsville, where she serves on the board of the Huntsville Museum of Art. The Griffins’ daughter, Dana, is an Auburn graduate in public relations.  The Griffin family established both professorships in memory of their beloved bulldogs, P.B. and Joezy.

Dr. Douglass K. Macintire, Professor of Small Animal Critical Care, is the P.B. Griffin Distinguished Professor. Dr. Macintire is internationally recognized for her expertise in critical care medicine and in infectious diseases in small animals.

A gifted educator and co-director of the critical care program, Dr. Macintire has co-authored two editions of the Manual of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Medicine and in 2006 received the Ira M. Zaslow Award for Distinguished Service in Veterinary Emergency/Critical Care.

JOEZY GRIFFIN PROFESSOR IN THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

Dr. Ellen N. Behrend, Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine, is the recipient of the Joezy Griffin Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. As a result of her numerous research publications, collaborations, and clinical expertise, Dr. Behrend is an internationally recognized expert in endocrinology.

Her devotion to instruction is highly respected among veterinary students, interns, and residents, and led to her being honored with the coveted Carl J. Norden/Pfizer Distinguished Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007.    

"Faculty are vital to the future of this university," said Dr. Gogue. "Their knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment provide a foundation for all learning central to Auburn students' success. Endowed professorships recognize the important roles our professors play and help Auburn retain faculty of the highest caliber."

President Gogue and Provost Mary Ellen Mazey opened the ceremony, which took place at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center. As faculty members received the endowed professorships, the donors who had provided the funding for their professorships were also recognized.  After recipients were presented gifts by President Gogue, each was seated in one of 50 wooden chairs placed on the stage to symbolize the professorships.  Recipients will receive salary enhancements of approximately $14,000 when fully funded.