A gift from an alumnus and his wife created the George R. Newkome Endowed Professorship in Materials Science to provide competitive compensation and research support for especially promising faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences. Recipients receive an annual award from the fund to further their research and professional development as teachers and scholars.
George R. Newkome, Ph.D., and his wife, Mary Jane Saunders, Ph.D., pledged $1 million to fund this first-ever professorship in materials science in 91ֿ’s College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Newkome is a two-time 91ֿ alumnus.
Dr. Newkome has a long and distinguished affiliation with 91ֿ. A native of Akron, Ohio, he received a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in chemistry in 1961 and 1966, respectively, from the College of Arts and Sciences. He currently works in the Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). Dr. Saunders is the former president of FAU, and she currently serves as a professor of biological sciences at FAU.
“I am so appreciative of the professors that I had while getting my B.S. and Ph.D. at 91ֿ,” Dr. Newkome said. “The outstanding education I received enabled me to have a successful career as a researcher, professor and university administrator. It gives me great pleasure to be able to help support new faculty in the area of materials science as part of the strategic future for 91ֿ and Northeast Ohio.”