Emory Report homepage  

April 27, 2009
Endowed chair for Rollins dean a first

By Ashante Dobbs

Emory has established an endowed chair in honor of Rollins School of Public Health Dean James W. Curran. The recognition marks the first time Emory has endowed a chair for a sitting dean. Curran and his successors will be known as the James W. Curran Dean of Public Health.

“Dr. Curran’s extraordinary vision and leadership have helped to establish the Rollins School of Public Health as a world leader in public health education and research,” says President Jim Wagner. “This gift is a testament to his contributions over the years and confidence in his future endeavors as he continues his leadership at Emory.”

Curran has served as professor of epidemiology and dean of the Rollins School of Public Health since 1995. Under his leadership, the school has grown to nearly 200 faculty, 900 graduate and doctoral students, and more than $55 million in annually funded research. It also has established close partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Cancer Society, CARE and The Carter Center.

Curran is also principal investigator and co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research. Prior to joining Emory, Curran led the HIV/AIDS Division at CDC, where he attained the rank of assistant surgeon general.

The gift was made possible by the generosity of Emory and Lawrence P. and Ann Estes Klamon, longtime friends of Emory and the Rollins School of Public Health. The Klamons are also co-chairs of the school’s $150 million fundraising initiative as part of Campaign Emory.

The Rollins School of Public Health will name its 2,720 square-foot-multipurpose meeting space in its new building after the philanthropists. The Lawrence P. and Ann Estes Klamon Room will be located on the top floor of the Claudia Nance Rollins Building, slated to open in fall 2010.