Edward A. Dickson served as a Regent of the University from 1913 to 1946, the longest tenure of any Regent. His vision is credited with helping to make the Los Angeles campus a reality.
In 1955, Mr. Dickson presented the University with a gift endowment (Fund 05304), made in trust, one half to support non-charitable beneficiaries, one who is still living, the balance and charitable remainder to support and maintain special annual professorships to be awarded to retired faculty members.
The award for retired faculty members is described in the gift document as follows:
(4) The income becoming available to The Regents shall be used for these University purposes, the order thereof being my preference:
(a) for the support and maintenance of special annual Professorships in the University of California to which shall be appointed by the President, with approval of The Regents, persons of academic rank who have been retired after service in the University of California and who shall receive such awards in addition to their retirement or pension allowances. Awards shall be made upon such conditions of service, research or teaching as The Regents may require. Professorships so awarded shall be known as the Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorships.
The endowment payout must continue to be used as specified by Mr. Dickson, which may include support for an annual award for one or more emeritus professor, and/or annual support for teaching, research, public service, and/or salary stipend of emeriti professors on recall. Each emeritus professor receiving support from the Dickson Endowment shall be known as the Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professor.
