Distinguished Professorships

Distinguished Professorships encourage ongoing commitment to excellence, kindle intellectual vibrancy, elevate instruction standards, and enrich public service contributions. They demonstrate professionalism, groundbreaking scholarship, exceptional instruction, and the breadth and significance of service contributions.

The Benjamin Forman Professorship for Research

Zhi Tang

Zhi Tang, Ph.D., has been a prolific researcher, most recently in various areas of entrepreneurship. He has published nine journal articles in the past three years, including several in top journals. He also served as a Graduate Program Director and led the revision of the STEM-designated MS technology innovation management and entrepreneurship (TIME) program. Professor Tang plans to continue publishing with colleagues across the world, including at RIT.

Zhi Tang
Professor
585-475-5991
Rong Yang

Rong Yang, Ph.D., has become a highly-regarded researcher in financial accounting and corporate social responsibility, with five top journal publications, in just the past three years. Professor Yang plans to continue publishing with colleagues at RIT and actively remain engaged with the top professional organizations in accounting.

Rong Yang
Professor
5854754569

The Benjamin Forman Professorship for Collaborative Research

Victor Perotti

Victor Perotti, Ph.D., has a demonstrated record of collaborative work across RIT with Simone Center, NTID, GCCIS, and COLA - with some of his work sponsored by NSF, the Knight Foundation, and SAP Corporation. Through this work, he has developed strong relationships with RIT’s Sponsored Research Services, Government and Community Relations, Corporate Relations, and Foundation Relations teams. Professor Perotti plans to continue creating cross-college research programs and facilitating research opportunities with Saunders College and RIT faculty through business, industry, government, and the public sector.

Victor Perotti
Professor
585-475-7753

J. Warren McClure Research Professorship in Marketing

To perpetuate Mr. McClure’s professional interest in the field of marketing.

Established: 1977
Donor: Mr. and Mrs. J. Warren McClure

Emi Moriuchi

Emi Moriuchi, Ph.D., is an active researcher and consultant in the field of marketing. She is a two-time Fulbright recipient. Her research focuses on the use of AI-driven robots and avatars in consumers' purchasing behaviors in the marketplace as well as in patients' healthcare settings. In recent endeavors, she has researched cybernetic avatars that are teleoperated by individuals with physical disabilities. Professor Moriuchi intends to extend her research in health sciences, in which she will collaborate with RIT and external researchers. As the McClure Professor for Marketing, Professor Moriuchi plans to organize distinguished lectures and engage in local and international communities. She also plans to contribute to local, national, and international media outlets.

Emi Moriuchi
Associate Professor
585-475-4355

The Madelon and Richard Rosett Professorship for Research

Hao Zhang

Hao Zhang, Ph.D., has been incredibly successful as an empirical researcher in conducting high-quality research in finance and accounting. In the past three years, he has produced three “Elite” and four “Top” journal publications – with a very healthy pipeline of more promising work. After spending a year on sabbatical working at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Professor Zhang plans to continue collaborating with colleagues there, in addition to working with colleagues at Saunders College. He also plans to submit several NSF grants over the next three years.

Hao Zhang
Professor
585-475-3981

Daniel D. Tessoni Professorship in Accounting

To honor Daniel D. Tessoni for his teaching contributions and his lifelong impact on students

Donor: Friends and Alumni of Dan Tessoni and the Saunders College of Business
Established: 2015

[The Daniel D. Tessoni Professorship is currently open.]