President Watkins has authorized the appointment of Valeria Molinero as the first Jack and Peg Simons Endowed Professor of Theoretical Chemistry. The appointment began on July 1, 2018, and has been established with a generous gift from Jack and Peg Simons and in recognition of Jack’s outstanding contributions to theoretical chemistry. Annual donations will accelerate this endowment to the level of an endowed chair within the next several years.

Valeria was chosen for this honor upon the recommendation of a committee of senior faculty who enlisted support from theoreticians around the globe, and with the endorsement of both the chair and dean of the Department of Chemistry. Please join us in congratulating her on this distinction in recognition of her scholarly activities and outstanding efforts in education and mentorship.