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Endowed positions help universities attract and retain top talent. Case in point: the recent recruitment of the University of Arizona’s first chief AI and data science officer, David Ebert. 

Ebert, who previously held leadership roles at the University of Oklahoma and Purdue, joins the U of A as the university strengthens its position at the forefront of emerging technologies and aligns with national priorities in AI and data-driven research. Ebert will help develop the College of Engineering’s new computer science engineering program and serve as the strategic architect for the university’s AI and data science vision as part of the Office of Research and Partnerships. 

“Dr. Ebert brings extraordinary expertise in data visualization, explainable AI and interactive machine learning to our institution,” says Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, senior vice president for research and partnerships. “His leadership will be transformational as we integrate AI and data science across the university and the state, expanding our research and operational impact while training the next generation of innovators.” 

His hire was made possible by a new $3.5 million gift created by an anonymous donor whose interests include expanding horizons in workforce development. The Computer Science Engineering Endowed Innovation Chair was established with $2 million, while $1.5 million is earmarked to recruit engineering faculty. 

This endowed position is the 100th created during the Fuel Wonder campaign — which began on Jan. 1, 2017 — and brings the campus total to 274. “Faculty drive the university’s research reputation, which helps attract funding and top students,” says John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation. “That means philanthropic support of endowed positions is essential to expanding the university’s research and operational impact while training the next generation of innovators.” 

Endowed leadership roles created during Fuel Wonder include the Dorrance Endowed Deanship at the College of Humanities, the Craig M. Berge Dean at the College of Engineering, the Franke Honors College Dean, the inaugural Humberto and Czarina Lopez Endowed Dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson, the director’s chair at the Ginny L. Clements Beast Cancer Research Institute, and the Daniel Cracchiolo Endowed Chair in Pediatric Autoimmune Disease, among many others.