Davidson Foundation Funds Endowed Chair in PT

The grant will establish the James A. “Buddy” Davidson Chair in Physical Therapy and enable ASU to recruit a professor of national reputation in physical therapy education and research to fill the endowed faculty position. 

Endowed chairs are used to enhance a professor’s salary and to provide additional funds for research, teaching and service activities. To be the holder of an endowed chair is one of the most prestigious honors a professor can attain and, as such, provides an important incentive for recruiting renowned faculty. 

Dr. Brian J. May ASU President Brian J. May said, “I’d like to congratulate the faculty and staff of the Archer College and Department of Physical Therapy for earning this great honor. The endowed chair in physical therapy will further enhance our already excellent PT doctoral program. I’d also like to extend the profound thanks of the entire ASU Ram Family to the James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation for its continued generosity and support of Angelo State.” 

In a joint statement, Dr. Shelly Weise, chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, and Dr. Leslie M. Mayrand, dean of the Archer College of Health and Human Services, expressed their deep appreciation to the James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation for the generous gift: 

“Endowed chairs allow us to retain outstanding faculty members at Angelo State University. Having received funding for an endowed chair in nursing from the James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation several years ago, and now another for physical therapy, shows the foundation’s confidence in our outstanding programs and faculty.”                      

The new position is the third endowed chair at ASU funded by the James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation and the second in the Archer College of Health and Human Services. The James A. “Buddy” Davidson Chair in Nursing Excellence was established by a $1 million grant in 2009 and is held by Dr. Wrennah Gabbert, professor of nursing and chair of the Department of Nursing. 

The James A. “Buddy” Davidson Charitable Foundation also created ASU’s James A. “Buddy” Davidson Chair in Agricultural Science and Leadership in the College of Science and Engineering with a $1 million grant in 2010. That chair is held by Dr. James “Will” Dickison, assistant professor of agriculture science.