LabCorp’s gift helps establish professorship to honor Grisham

By CHRYS BULLARD
Office of University Development

CHAPEL HILL -- Burlington-based LabCorp, one of the world’s largest clinical laboratories, has given $150,000 to help establish the Joe Wheeler Grisham distinguished professorship in pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The gift joins more than $500,000 already raised from individuals and former students to honor Dr. Joe Wheeler Grisham, former chairman of pathology and Kenan professor of pathology and laboratory medicine in the School of Medicine. The university will apply for $334,000 in state matching funds from the Distinguished Professors Endowment Trust Fund to create a professorship of more than $1 million.

Many of the nation’s top pathologists and clinical scientists – including Dr. Myla Lai-Goldman, LabCorp’s executive vice president, chief scientific officer and medical director – studied under Grisham, who retired last June.

"We are delighted to be the lead corporate donor to the Grisham professorship," said Lai-Goldman. "Support of this professorship is directly aligned with our strategy to provide continued access to the latest innovations in medical and laboratory science."

Dr. Charles Jennette, Brinkhous distinguished professor and chairman of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, said the gift exemplifies the mutually beneficial relationship that can exist between UNC and private industry.

"This relationship between the university and LabCorp illustrates very nicely the role the university plays in providing the technological and human resources that allow industry to thrive in our state and provide jobs and support for the economy," he said.

"LabCorp’s generosity demonstrates how companies can contribute to the availability of exceptionally well-qualified employees by supporting the university."

A pioneer in diagnostic technologies including genomic testing, LabCorp employs more than 24,000 people – 4,800 of whom work in North Carolina – and offers more than 4,000 clinical tests ranging from routine blood analyses to the most sophisticated molecular diagnostics. The company posted annual revenues of $2.5 billion in 2002.

LabCorp’s gift counts toward the Carolina First campaign goal of $1.8 billion. Carolina First is a comprehensive, multi-year private fund-raising campaign to support Carolina’s vision of becoming the nation’s leading public university.

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Office of University Development contact: Chris McLeod, (919) 962-3428