TCU seeks out professors who have a passion for teaching as well as for conducting research — a combination that keeps them at the top of their fields. Through prestigious and enduring investments, generous donors create new knowledge and shape vibrant futures through exemplary research and teaching. Endowed faculty positions attract eminent national and international scholars, who draw other notable faculty and the brightest students to TCU.
Here, we feature newly endowed chairs and professors being recognized in the 2023-2024 academic year as they begin their first full year in their new roles. TCU thanks its generous donors and congratulates these deserving faculty.
ENDOWED CHAIRS
Keith Gåddie
Al and Dawn Hoffman Chair of the American Ideal
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Gåddie is the inaugural holder of the Al and Dawn Hoffman Chair of the American Ideal
in the Department of Political Science. He comes to TCU from the University of Oklahoma.
As a scholar, he focuses on issues of the built environment and democratic values,
and his written work explores how Americans conceive of democracy and the Supreme
Court.
Read more.
John T. Harvey 
Hal Wright Chair of Economics
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
Harvey has been named Hal Wright Chair of Economics. Since 1987, Harvey has been a
professor of economics at TCU, with his areas of specialty including international
economics, macroeconomics and contemporary schools of thought. He is a frequent speaker
for civic groups, where he enjoys translating complex economic concepts into language
that the lay public can easily understand.
Read more.
ENDOWED PROFESSORS
Antoinette DeNapoli 
John F. Weatherly Professor of Religion
AddRan College of Liberal Arts
A professor of South Asian religions since 2017, DeNapoli focuses on asceticism, devotion,
mysticism and gender dynamics within religious contexts. She is the editor of two
forthcoming anthologies examining the interface between gender and religion.
Read more.
Enrico Elisi 
Harold D. and Imogene Herndon Professor in Music
College of Fine Arts
Elisi, also associate professor of piano and an accomplished Italian pianist, has
garnered international acclaim throughout his nearly 20-year career. He comes to TCU
from the University of Toronto. Elisi has been a guest artist at renowned music festivals
and achieved solo performances with the Florence Symphony in Italy, the Orchestra
Classica de Porto in Portugal and the Jakarta Sinfonietta in Indonesia, among others.
Read more.
Matthew Garcia 
Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Professor in Ranch Management
College of Science & Engineering
Garcia joined TCU this semester as the director of Ranch Management. He earned his
doctorate in Animal Science Genomics from Washington State University in 2005. He
earned his MBA in Innovative Management from Portland State University and his bachelor’s
in Animal Science Genetics from New Mexico State University. He most recently served
at Utah State University as associate department head and professor. In this role,
he led their beef cattle extension that includes state-wide programs and regional
programs in Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming and Idaho.
Read more.