Endowed Chair Celebration: Opening the Door to Discovery

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus recently celebrated the generosity of the CU Anschutz benefactor community and the talented faculty they support. Hosted by Chancellor Don Elliman, the event was held for the first time at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building against the backdrop of the endowed chair recognition wall. Each plaque recognizes an endowed chair established by a benefactor or benefactors to support faculty at CU Anschutz.

As CU Anschutz Assistant Vice Chancellor Allison Krebs noted in her opening remarks to 145 attendees, top talent and innovation are the hallmarks of CU Anschutz, “and that’s precisely what this recognition wall represents. But it’s more than a number or a plaque on a wall. It’s a vote of confidence in the life-changing work taking place here today. We are thrilled to celebrate the impact of endowed chairs, the faculty who serve these meaningful appointments, and our benefactor honorees.”

Dye, Lemery feted

While the CU Anschutz Office of Advancement-hosted event celebrates all endowed chair holders, this year’s event highlighted two chairs and their respective benefactors:

• Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation chair in oral health equity (benefactor: Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, D.J. Close, executive director, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation; chair holder: Bruce A. Dye, DDS, MPH)
• Climate and Health Foundation endowed chair in climate medicine (benefactor: Climate and Health Foundation; chair holder: Jay M. Lemery, MD)

Chancellor Elliman noted that support for endowed chairs has been so outstanding that there are now more than 210 benefiting faculty members on the entire campus at CU Anschutz, UCHealth University of Colardo Hospital, and Children’s Hospital Colorado. “This is a testament to the exceptional caliber of the faculty we attract, and the meaningful impact their work has had on the lives of those we serve,” he said.

At the celebration, Dye, who is the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation chair in oral health equity, and Lemery, endowed chair in climate health, discussed their work on a panel led by Cathy Bradley, PhD, the newly appointed dean of the Colorado School of Public Health. D.J. Close, executive director of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, also joined the panelists. The Climate Health Foundation unfortunately was not able to attend the event and Lemery spoke on their behalf as the chair holder.

During the panel discussion, Bradley noted that both chair holders are helping CU Anschutz support underserved and underrepresented communities, and that DEI and mission-driven philanthropy on the campus represents a broad range of experiences. Dye and Lemery shared their thoughts on how philanthropy played a role in fostering change within their respective departments and divisions, and how it advances their efforts to support historically underrepresented communities. Close also commented on how organizations like Delta Dental work alongside CU Anschutz to help make a difference in the community.

Photo at top: A video screen at the Anschutz Health Sciences Building displays CU Anschutz faculty members who were awarded an endowed chair during the 2023 fiscal year.