3rd Thonis Endowed Professorship Announced

Date Published: 03-24-2023

On the drive from his home in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to his alma mater in Syracuse, New York, Michael G. "Mike" Thonis '72 says he counts rock formations, knows all their geological names and notices "as they suddenly become very dark and very mysterious." The highly successful business executive, financial advisor, philanthropist and Syracuse University life trustee remains passionate about geology and Earth science-his major as an undergraduate, and the focus of his most recent gift to the Forever Orange Campaign and the Faculty Excellence Program.

Thonis and his wife, Susan, recently gifted $1.34 million to establish the Thonis Family Professorship III of Earth Science. As part of the Faculty Excellence Program, the University contributes an additional $666,000 to the gift amount to fund the professorship. This is their third endowed professorship supporting the geosciences, though each recipient is distinctive in their research and teaching. This latest gift supports the work of Zunli Lu, professor of Earth and environmental sciences, who joined Syracuse University in 2011.

View this article at: https://news.syr.edu/blog/2023/03/24/third-thonis-endowed-professorship-announced-the-multiplier-effect-in-philanthropy/