In a recent shift in sponsorship of visiting professors and fellowships, the Richman family provided gifts that established an endowed chair in politics or economics, replacing the Fred and Rita Richman Distinguished Visiting Professorship. A program very similar to the visiting professorship was established in late December, awarding $25,000 to a visiting Richman Distinguished Fellow in Public Life for a term of two to three days in the 2013-2014 academic year.

At Thursday's faculty meeting, Provost Steve Goldstein '78 announced that Prof. Kathryn Graddy (ECON) would be the first Fred and Rita Richman Distinguished Professor of Economics.

Graddy said that she found out that she had been selected unofficially in a faculty chairs meeting in November, and then received the official news on Dec. 17.

"It's a complete honor, and I am just thrilled ... to have been nominated," said Graddy in regard to her endowed chair in an interview with the Justice.

"I really like Brandeis ... I like teaching, I like the students, and this just makes me feel even better," she continued.

The only remaining Richman vacancy lies in the new Richman Distinguished Fellow in Public Life.

The fellowship was created with the help of trustee Carol Richman Saivetz '69, in honor of her parents, who were benefactors of the University.

A student and faculty selection committee, chaired by Prof. Adam Jaffe (ECON), will continue to take nominations for the Richman Fellow, according to an email sent out to the Brandeis community by University President Frederick Lawrence on Monday.

The criteria for the Richman Fellow is described in the email as "an individual active in public life whose contributions have had a significant impact on improving American society, strengthening democratic institutions, advancing social justice or increasing opportunities for all citizens to realize and share in the benefits of this nation."

Nominations must consist of a maximum of 1,000 words, explaining why the nominee should be selected as the Richman Fellow.

Several students have created informal nominations on Facebook pages and change.org petitions, arguing for the selection of television personality Stephen Colbert as the first Richman Fellow.

The last day to nominate an individual is March 1. A selection date has not been announced.