Department News

Vera Gorbunova appointed Doris Johns Cherry Professor

November 6, 2014

Congratulations to Professor Vera Gorbunova, who has been appointed the Doris Johns Cherry Professor.

The Doris Johns Cherry Professorship was established in July 2006, with a gift of $1.5 million. Doris Johns Cherry died on Jan. 17, 2005, and bequeathed a generous portion of her estate for unrestricted support of the University.

Mrs. Cherry graduated from West High School in Rochester at 16, earned a bachelor's in economics from the University of Rochester in 1943, and was a member of Theta Eta Sorority. After returning to Rochester in the 1950s from Chicago, she worked at the University in the benefits office for eight year before joining the Wiedman & Wiedman law firm where she worked until the mid-90s. She served as communication chair for her 50th reunion in 1993.  In recognition of Mrs. Cherry's generosity, a tree was dedicated in her name just outside Wilson Commons on the River Campus of the University.