Latest endowed chair supports investigate excellence in instruction, neuroscience and additional | CU Boulder These days

CU Boulder’s newest endowed professorial chair—the Sapp Spouse and children Endowed Chancellor’s Chair for Study Excellence—is the first of its variety. This $2.5 million fund lets the chancellor to aid best-tier school at the university who are conducting investigation in social science, schooling, neuropsychology and psychology.

It is manufactured feasible by a $2 million reward from donors Shari and Richard “Rick” Sapp and a $500,000 institutional dedication from the college. 

The 1st CU Boulder faculty member appointed to the 5-12 months time period as the Sapp Household Chair is Sona Dimidjian, director of the Renée Crown Wellness Institute.

“The Sapps are strategic investors at CU Boulder, offering generously philanthropically and with the company of their time and talents, and we recognize them deeply,” stated Chancellor Philip P. DiStefano. “They share our determination to exploration excellence and a properly-rounded training steeped in the humanities, social sciences and research. I am honored to bestow the initial chair to Dr. Dimidjian.”

Dimidjian, a psychology and neuroscience professor, researches psychological wellness and wellness amongst women of all ages, children and families and emphasizes the value of participating people’s capacities for learning to care for by themselves and their communities. 

Her current investigate tasks emphasis on protecting against despair and supporting wellness between new and expectant mothers, advertising healthy body impression and leadership among young females, and enhancing mindfulness and compassion among the youth, families and educators. 

Dimidjian is the receiver of various awards acknowledging her educating and scientific exploration, which includes the Dorothy Martin Women’s College Award, the Fantastic Graduate Mentor Award and the Robert L. Stearns Award at CU Boulder, along with the Susan Hickman Award from Postpartum Assist Worldwide and the Women of all ages and Psychotherapy Award from Division 35 of the American Psychological Association. She obtained her bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Chicago and her PhD in medical psychology from the College of Washington.

“I am humbled to be the inaugural recipient of the Sapp Family Chair,” claimed Dimidjian. “As I reflect on the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racism, and impacts on psychological overall health and wellness, the great importance of working throughout educational disciplines and in partnership with younger folks, family members and educators could not be much more very clear. With these resources, the Crown Institute will increase our interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, participatory get the job done that aims to establish a extra just and compassionate globe.”

The Sapp Loved ones Endowed Chancellor’s Chair in Investigation Excellence is selected and qualified for renewal at the discretion of the CU Boulder chancellor, in consultation with the provost and deans, and in accordance with the recognized techniques for granting endowed faculty awards.

In addition to the new chair, the Sapps have built sizeable contributions to CU Boulder around time, together with resources for scholarships aimed at pupils just higher than Pell eligibility, the Leeds and Engineering setting up link project—now regarded as the Rustandy Making in recognition of naming donor Tandean Rustandy—the Convention on World Affairs and the Mum or dad Fund.

Shari Sapp gained her finance degree at CU Boulder in 1984 and at this time serves as chair of the Chancellor’s Mother or father Management Society Board. She is a receiver of the Extraordinary Buffalo award, which the chancellor provides yearly to a father or mother who displays a deep determination to CU as a result of contributions and provider. Rick Sapp earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford College and an MBA in finance from the Wharton University at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Shari and Rick reside in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and have four children. Their youngest daughter graduated from CU Boulder in Could 2020, majoring in psychology with a minor in area. 

“By building the Sapp Family members Chair, we hope to give the chancellor assist in retaining and recognizing vital faculty who function in social science investigate,” stated Shari Sapp. “When we read the inaugural receiver would be Dr. Dimidjian, we had been completely thrilled. Her investigation in psychological overall health and wellness, exclusively mindfulness, has the likely to positively influence the life of people of all ages all over the environment. It is an honor and privilege to know that our reward will add to her perform.”