Bentley Named Fischell Distinguished Professor

William Bentley

William Bentley, chair of the Fischell Department of Bioengineering, has been named the Clark School's inaugural Robert E. Fischell Distinguished Professor, effective October 1.

The renewable five-year professorship, established within the existing Fischell endowment, recognizes Bentley's sustained and influential scientific and scholarly work in the area of bioengineering.

"I am especially honored to hold a professorship in the Fischell name," stated Bentley. "It's a name that stands for exceptional ingenuity and expertise, a commitment to improving life for millions of people, and enormous generosity. I will do my best to live up to it."

The new professorship is a part of the $31 million endowment by Fischell and his sons that created the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and the Robert E. Fischell Institute of Biomedical Devices and supports the university's Great Expectations campaign.

"On behalf of our faculty, staff and students, I would like to thank Robert E. Fischell and his family once again for their enormous generosity and dedication to the A. James Clark School of Engineering," said Clark School Interim Dean Herbert Rabin. "Through their contributions they enable progress in the development of life-improving technologies in the U.S. and around the world, and enhance the reputation of the Clark School and the University of Maryland."

To learn more about the Great Expectations campaign and how you can make a difference in the Clark School's progress, please contact Steve Beeland.

Published October 3, 2007