Endowed Faculty Positions

CHSBS is proud to host the following endowed chairs and professorships in the college:

 

Olga J. and G. Roland Denison Visiting Professorship of Native American Studies

The Olga J. and G. Roland Denison Visiting Professorship of Native American Studies was established in 2007 through generous donations from the Denison family. The gift is used to support an endowed professorship in Native American Studies to enhance the capability of the Native American Studies Program at Central Michigan University. The program will bring in a noted scholar, artist or practitioner to CMU each year for an extended visit, ranging from one month to a full semester, to teach, research, lecture, serve the community and participate in other activities of the program.

The mission of the Native American Studies Program is to increase understanding of the historical experiences, cultural traditions and innovations, and political status of Indian peoples in the United States and Canada. The Denison Visiting Professorship of Native American Studies will help build upon the relationship between the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, CMU and the Mount Pleasant community.

Biography

Eddie Benton-BanaiEddie Benton-Banai
Term: Fall 2009
Office: Anspach 116

Eddie Benton-Banai holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Western California University. He currently teaches courses in Anishinabe Studies at SHINGWAUK KINOOMAAGE GAMIG, Algoma University. Benton-Banai is a full blood member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, is a fifth degree Midewiwin Lodge member, and is Keeper of the Water Drum and Pipe Carrier. He has received a number of awards and recognitions and is the author of two books: The Mishomis Book and Generation to Generation.

Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government

The Robert and Marjorie Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at Central Michigan University was established through generous gifts from Robert P. and Marjorie Griffin and numerous friends of the family. The mission of the endowment is to stimulate the political conscience of students and scholars and to help prepare principled political leaders to serve Michigan in the future.

The endowment funds the salary and associated costs of a U.S. and Michigan government expert who serves as a faculty member in CMU's Department of Political Science.  The Griffin Endowed Chair leads the university's efforts to elevate political awareness and activity among students, faculty and citizens.

The Griffin Endowed Chair is held by Maxine Berman, a former state representative and current director of special projects for the Office of Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.

Biography

Maxine Berman

Maxine Berman
Term: 2009-2012
Office: Anspach Hall 203
Phone: (989) 774-3587
E-mail: berma1ml@cmich.edu

Maxine Berman is the fourth Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government at CMU. She brings a wealth of experience to the position of endowed chair. She has been the Director of Special Projects for the Office of Governor Granholm since 2003. Her duties include spurring regional collaboration among municipalities, counties and educational institutions and working with an advisory group to create a realignment of Michigan government. She also is responsible for researching and promoting issues related to women, particularly women's health, and other statewide concerns such as affirmative action and stem cell research.

From 1983 to 1996 she served as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives. There, she held a number of prominent committee leadership positions ranging from appropriations to economic development and education. She also has served as a political consultant, taught government administration courses as an adjunct professor at Walsh College, and is a past executive director of the Michigan Women's Health Network. She holds a bachelor's degree and teacher certification from the University of Michigan.

 

John G. Kulhavi Endowed Professorship in Neuroscience

The John G. Kulhavi Endowed Professorship in Neuroscience was established in 2004 through a generous gift from John G. Kulhavi. The gift is used to support an endowed professorship in neuroscience, which will be held by a high-profile neuroscientist who will help lead the neuroscience program and the BRAIN Center to achieve high levels of research and instructional excellence.

The Kulhavi Endowed Professorship is held by Dr. Gary Dunbar, who began his term in 2004. The professorship shall be given to a faculty member for an initial term of five years, after which a review period will determine if that occupant shall be reappointed or whether the search process should begin again. After a faculty member serves two consecutive terms, a new selection process will begin. The occupant of the chair may be considered as a candidate for one more five-year term.

Click here to read the March 2004 newsletter article about the gift.

Gary DunbarBiography

Gary Dunbar
Term: 2004-2009
Office: Health Professions Bldg. 2182
Phone: (989) 774-3282
E-mail:dunba1g@cmich.edu

Gary Dunbar received a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.S. in Biopsychology from Eckerd College.  He received a M.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Biology from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Psychobiology from Clark University.  He is currently the John G. Kulhavi Professor of Neuroscience and is Director of the Neuroscience Program and Brain Research and Integrative Neuroscience (BRAIN) Center.  Dr. Dunbar is a Past-President of the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience and for the Michigan Chapter of the Society for Neuroscience.  He was named Michigan Professor of the Year in 1997.  He serves as the scientific advisor for the Michigan Chapter of the Huntington's Diseases Society of America and as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Undergraduate Neuroscience Education.