Moreover, it established the first alumni-endowed chair as well as the first basic science-endowed chair in the history of the College. The first recipient of the chair is Ernest Y. C. Lee, Ph.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology since 1997. The official dedication of the endowed chair was held May 9th at the Alumni Center.

By way of background, endowed chairs are typically established to attract top talent to an institution; they assure availability of funding for competitive salaries. In his letter to alumni promoting the fund-raising appeal, Michael A. Antonelle, M.D. ’62, former president of the Alumni Association, wrote, “Our academic programs need continuous financial nurturing in order to attract and retain our superb faculty. Our decision to encourage support for the alumni-endowed chair in biochemistry addressed the desire to establish a legacy symbolic of the excellence of the College and the medical leadership it produces.” 

Dr. Lee confirmed that when he was offered the position of department chair, the College also made a commitment to naming him to the proposed endowed chair in biochemistry. He indicated that the commitment was a powerful inducement to join the College as well as an exceptionally great honor because the chair is alumni-endowed. “It is extremely heartening to me that the endowment came from alumni,” said Dr. Lee. “I think the endowed chair is a visible sign that our alumni realize that the College was very special to them and that it needs their support. An alumni-endowed chair is particularly important for the College because it is in keeping with what I feel is true about the school. We are very committed to our students. We are very much a community, and collectively we can make a difference. Our alumni can be a very powerful force in shaping the future of this College.”

While Dr. Lee clearly appreciates the significance of the alumni endowment, the alumni are also acutely aware of the importance of attracting first-rate basic science faculty. Louis E. Fierro, M.D. ’60, current Alumni Association president, says, “We decided to target the basic sciences in our fund-raising appeal because we want top-quality basic scientists and researchers at the College. The basic sciences are a significant part of training for future physicians. Basic scientists show us what is happening on the microscopic level; they give us the tools and teach us the physiological concepts, and we institute them clinically. A strong basic science background develops a higher quality clinician.”

For Dr. Lee, the key to his work is to strike a harmonious balance between educating medical students and generating high-level research. “I came here,” he says, “to build a community of scholars and researchers.” His department’s research includes studies on enzymology, molecular genetics, neurobiology and the molecular basis of Lyme disease. Dr. Lee’s own research is the study of phosphoprotein phosphatases, which are important regulatory enzymes affecting a range of cellular processes.