Dr. Hugh L. and Hontas K. Houston Professorship

Established: June 15, 2000

Current Professor: Dr. Gary ZeRuth

Purpose

The purpose of this professorship is to support the Bio-medical program at Murray State University. This position will be in the Department of Biological Sciences of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. 

The professorship was vacant during 2008-09. The endowment threshold has not been attained. The current plan is to fill the position as soon as the earnings from the endowment reach a level sufficient to attract a senior ranking, nationally recognized bio-medical professor.

The presence of a prominent bio-medical researcher will further enhance the high-quality bio-medical program at Murray State University. This nationally recognized faculty member will assist the bio-medical faculty of Murray State’s Howard Hughes Medical Institute in such activities as instruction, advising, curriculum development, research and securing external funding. Such funding will be used for equipment purchases, faculty release time, conference travel, student recruitment, support of student research and the establishment of seminars and events beneficial to pre-medicine students and faculty.

The addition of a prominent bio-medical faculty member will enable greater recruitment, retention and graduate placement of pre-med students. Recruiting, retaining and matriculating bright students will promote program loyalty and, often, a return to practice in Kentucky.