Endowed Chairs and Professorships
Connelly Endowed Deanship
The Connelly Endowed Deanship was established in 2003 by the Connelly Foundation on the occasion of the College’s 50th Anniversary. It was first held by M. Louise Fitzpatrick, EdD, RN, FAAN. Since 2018, it has been held by Donna S. Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN.
CHAIR
Diane L. and Robert F. Moritz, Jr. Endowed Chair in Nursing Research
Diane L. and Robert F. Moritz, Jr. Endowed Chair in Nursing Research was established in 2013 by Robert F. Moritz, Jr. DDS ’51 VSB and his wife Diane to advance research and scholarship within the College and its academic programs. It is held since its inception by Helene Moriarty, PhD, RN, FAAN.
PROFESSORSHIPS
The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professorship in the Nursing of Vulnerable Populations
In 2018, Professor Suzanne C. Smeltzer, EdD, RN, FAAN was announced as the inaugural holder of The Richard and Marianne Kreider Endowed Professorship in the Nursing of Vulnerable Populations, established from a gift from Richard J. Kreider ’83 VSB and his wife Marianne. As of January 2022, the professorship is held by Bridgette M. (Brawner) Rice, PhD, MDiv, APRN, FAAN.
M. Louise Fitzpatrick Endowed Professorship in Nursing
The M. Louise Fitzpatrick Endowed Professorship in Nursing was established by a generous anonymous donor. As per the wishes of the donor, the holder of this endowed professorship must be a tenured or tenure track faculty member with specialization in community and home health nursing. The initial term of the appointment is three years. As of January 2022, the inaugural holder of the professorship is Melissa O’Connor, PhD, MBA, RN, FGSA, FAAN.
Kreider Endowed Professorship in Health Care Simulation and Innovation
In September 2023, Marianne and Richard J. Kreider '83 VSB generously established the Kreider Endowed Professorship in Health Care Simulation and Innovation.
ASSISTANT PROFESSORSHIPS
Eastwood Family Endowed Assistant Professorship
In 2019, through the generosity of the Eastwood family, the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing furthered its efforts to attract and support talented tenure-track faculty members through the Eastwood Family Endowed Fund for Assistant Professors of Nursing. Heather Brom, PhD, RN, NP-C, joined the College in August 2020 as the inaugural Eastwood Family Endowed Assistant Professor.
Weingarten Endowed Assistant Professorship
In 2021, Carol Toussie Weingarten, PhD, RN, ANEF and her husband Michael Weingarten, MD, MBA, FACS generously donated the Weingarten Endowed Assistant Professorship. Daniel Jackson Smith, PhD, APRN, CNE, joined the Fitzpatrick College of Nursing faculty in January 2022 as its inaugural Weingarten Endowed Assistant Professor.
Diane Foley Parrett Endowed Assistant Professorship
In 2020, William and Diane Parrett P '09 generously donated the Diane Foley Parrett Endowed Assistant Professorship. Its inaugural holder in 2022 was Tresa Kaur PhD, RN-BC, CNE, CHSE, CTN-A. As of September 2023, Guy Weissinger, II, PhD, RN is the holder of the assistant professorship.
Coach Bennett Endowed Assistant Professorship
In 2023, the Coach Bennett Endowed Assistant Professorship was generously donated by Glenn Bennett P ’23 to honor his father, George Bennett, who coached Villanova’s baseball team from 1986-2001. In April of 2023, Christina Whitehouse, PhD, AGPCNP-BC, CDCES, FADCES was named its inaugural holder.
ADDITIONAL TYPES OF PROFESSORSHIPS AT FCN
Howley Family Visiting Professorship in Health Care
In 2023, FCN's first visiting professorship was made possible thanks to the generosity of Francine and Michael Howley P ’18, ’20, ’23. He is a member of the Dean’s Board of Consultors. This visiting professorship is focused on creating and expanding innovation and entrepreneurship at the College of Nursing.
The inaugural 2024 Howley Family Visiting Professor in Health Care is Rebecca Love, MSN, BS, RN, FIEL.