Cornell graduate endows professorship with $1.5 million gift

MOUNT VERNON - A Cornell College graduate and his wife have given $1.5 million to honor a retired educator with an endowed professorship.

Ralph E. “Chris” Christoffersen, a 1959 Cornell graduate from Boulder, Colo., and his wife, Barbara,  pledged the gift to create an endowed professorship in chemistry to honor William Deskin, professor emeritus of chemistry, and Ruth, his wife of more than 60 years.

Deskin, who taught at Cornell College from 1956 to 1989, was known as a mentor and a promoter of student research. The fund will pay for the salary and faculty development for one chemistry professor.

Cornell College President Jonathan Brand said the gift both honors that tradition and makes sure future students at Cornell have the same experiences.

The Christoffersens gave the gift in honor of the professor who mentored him and even made a room for him in his home so Christoffersen could stay on campus to conduct research as a student. Christoffersen went on to Indiana University, where he earned his doctorate in chemistry, and had a career in academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He's served as president of Colorado State University, senior vice president of research at SmithKline Beecham and vice president of discovery research at The Upjohn Company. He is currently a general partner at Morgenthaler Ventures, a venture capital firm, where he heads the life science team.

Deskin said Christoffersen was the first student who started doing research under his tutelage, and the pair have remained in contact for more than 50 years.

Cynthia Strong, who has taught in the chemistry department since 1989, will hold the William Deskin Endowed Chair in Chemistry.