James McCusker honored as Zichis Endowed Chair
Michigan State University Research Foundation Professor James McCusker was recently honored as the Dr. Joseph Zichis Endowed Chair in Chemistry.
Faculty, university leaders and guests gathered to recognize McCusker’s contributions to chemistry and to honor the legacy of Joseph Zichis, whose gift made the endowed chair possible.
“This is a momentous occasion for the college and the university,” said Sean Liddick, interim chair of the Department of Chemistry, in his opening remarks. “Moments like these remind us of the extraordinary impact that philanthropy and academic excellence have when they come together.”
McCusker, an internationally recognized leader in the study of ultrafast chemical processes, was praised not only for his scientific achievements, but also for his mentorship and leadership within the college. Interim Associate Dean of Budget, Planning, Research and Administration Norman Birge, speaking on behalf of Dean Eric L. Hegg, highlighted McCusker’s influence on students and colleagues alike, noting that he “makes everybody around him better scientists and people.”
A legacy of giving
The endowed chair is funded through an estate gift from Dr. Joseph Zichis, a three-time MSU alumnus who earned degrees in biological science and chemistry in the 1930s.
Zichis went on to work for the Illinois Department of Public Health before becoming director and owner of Markham Laboratories, where he developed diagnostic reagents and led several patents in diagnostic testing.
Following his death in 1976, Zichis and his spouse, Lillian, left a significant estate gift to MSU to support research in chemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. In 2012, that gift was combined with additional funds to establish the Dr. Joseph Zichis Endowed Chair in Chemistry, now the longest-standing donor-funded faculty position in the College of Natural Science.
University leaders emphasized that gifts like the Zichis endowment play a critical role in advancing research and education.
Why endowed positions matter
Provost Laura Lee McIntyre noted that endowed faculty positions are a hallmark of leading research universities and provide lasting support for academic excellence.
“Endowed funds are an investment in MSU that shows the world our commitment, our focus, and our leadership in academic and research excellence,” McIntyre said.
Because they provide a permanent source of funding, endowments help ensure that teaching, research and outreach can continue regardless of economic uncertainty. They also enable universities to recruit and retain world-class faculty and strategically invest in areas with the greatest potential for impact.
Shashank Priya, MSU’s vice president for research and innovation, added that donor-funded chairs position the university as a leader in scientific discovery and provide critical resources for faculty.
“With this endowed chair, Professor McCusker will have the resources to expand his collaborations, mentor the next generation of scientists and strengthen research in the chemistry department,” Priya said.
At the departmental level, endowed funding also provides stability and flexibility. Liddick noted that these resources allow faculty to pursue new ideas, adapt to shifting funding landscapes and build momentum for future research initiatives.
Advancing chemistry research
McCusker’s research focuses on how transition-metal molecules respond to light on extremely short timescales, work that has implications for energy conversion, catalysis and molecular electronics.
His appointment as the Zichis Endowed Chair recognizes both his scientific leadership and his role in advancing MSU’s reputation in the chemical sciences.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the endowed chair medallion, formally recognizing McCusker’s new role and celebrating the lasting impact of the Zichis family’s investment in research and education at Michigan State.
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