With leadership from Dean Melvin Lohmann (pictured), the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology pioneered the establishment of endowed chairs at OSU as a means of attracting and retaining distinguished faculty.

In the first 20 years, several chairs were at least partially endowed, including the Halliburton Chair, the Charles L. Nickols Chair, the Edward R. Stapley Professorship, the Leonard F. Sheerar Professorship, and the Clark A. Dunn Professorship.

Lohmann, who served as dean from 1955-77 and led the college to national prominence, is annually recognized with an award in his name, the Melvin R. Lohmann Medal, which is presented to graduates of the college who have made outstanding contributions to the profession or education of engineers, architects or technologists.