University of Lynchburg Names Three Endowed Professors
Three faculty members receive prestigious professorships to support their research and professional development.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in People
The University of Lynchburg has appointed three faculty members to endowed professorships to recognize their contributions to the campus community. These positions provide professors with additional resources for scholarly pursuits.
Why it matters
The appointments honor faculty excellence in teaching and research while providing essential funding for continued academic work and travel. Supporting these educators strengthens the quality of instruction and institutional scholarship.
The university named three professors to endowed roles that last for three years. Among the recipients, Dr. Michael Schnur brings a tenure of 31 years at the University of Lynchburg to his new position.
The players
Dr. Eric Kyper
He is a faculty member at the University of Lynchburg who was recently named a Douglas D. Drysdale Professor of Business and Economics.
Dr. Michael Schnur
He is a long-standing educator who has taught at the University of Lynchburg for 31 years and was named a Douglas D. Drysdale Professor.
Dr. Gerald Prante
He is a professor at the university who was named the Donaldson Brown Distinguished Professor in Business Finance.
The details
Dr. Eric Kyper and Dr. Michael Schnur were named Douglas D. Drysdale Professors of Business and Economics, while Dr. Gerald Prante was named the Donaldson Brown Distinguished Professor in Business Finance. These roles are designed to facilitate deeper engagement in professional development, research, and travel for the faculty members.
Timeline
The Donaldson Brown Distinguished Professorship was established in 1979.
Douglas D. Drysdale served on the university board of trustees from 2008 to 2015.
The three faculty members were officially appointed to their new positions in October 2026.
Market Landscape
These appointments extend the legacy of the 1979 Donaldson Brown Distinguished Professorship foundation by continuing the tradition of academic chair funding. This strategy bolsters the University of Lynchburg as it competes to attract and retain high-caliber talent in higher education.
Students and the local Lynchburg community benefit from these appointments through an increased emphasis on high-level research and professional faculty development. The university's investment in its staff directly impacts the quality of instruction delivered to current and future students.
The takeaway
Endowed professorships serve as a vital mechanism for universities to foster deeper faculty expertise and academic innovation. Recognizing veteran educators and scholars helps maintain the institutional culture and intellectual vitality of the campus.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest faculty updates in the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsAdvance.
