You’ve probably seen the title on a faculty directory or a press release from Emory University and wondered if it’s just a fancy way of saying "senior teacher." Honestly, it’s a lot more than that. The Asa Griggs Candler Professor title is one of the most prestigious designations a scholar can hold in the American Southeast. It isn't just about tenure or years of service; it’s a direct link to the man who basically willed modern Emory into existence with a checkbook and a vision for Atlanta.
Most people recognize the name Candler because of the soda. Asa Griggs Candler was the guy who bought the Coca-Cola formula for a few hundred bucks and turned it into a global empire. But in the academic world, his legacy is tied to a different kind of "formula"—the recruitment of world-class minds to Georgia.
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What exactly is an Asa Griggs Candler Professor?
At its core, this is a "named chair."
But let’s be real: it’s the university’s version of a "franchise player" tag in sports. These professorships were established to help Emory recruit and, more importantly, keep the kind of high-level researchers who usually get scouted by the Ivy League.
The money for these positions doesn't come from a specific endowment bucket for each chair. Instead, they are funded by general university revenues, a testament to the $1 million gift Candler gave in 1914 to move the school from Oxford, Georgia, to its current home in Atlanta. To put that in perspective, that million dollars was a massive gamble back then. It was the spark that turned a small Methodist college into a research powerhouse.
Who gets picked for this?
It's not a participation trophy.
The selection process is pretty intense. A dean nominates a candidate, but it has to be vetted and signed off on by the Provost. They are looking for "well-qualified senior faculty." In plain English? They want people who are already famous in their niche fields.
Take Pearl Dowe, for example. She’s the Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Political Science and African American Studies. She doesn't just teach 101 classes; she’s a leading voice on how Black women influence political power. Or look at Patricia Bauer in Psychology. She’s literally a world expert on how infants remember things (or why we forget our earliest years).
These aren't just teachers. They are people whose research changes how we understand the world.
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The Coca-Cola connection you didn't know
It's kinda funny how deep the Candler roots go. Asa served as the chair of Emory’s Board of Trustees for over 30 years. His brother, Warren Akin Candler, was a Methodist bishop and a former president of the university. The family didn't just give money; they essentially treated the university as their primary civic project.
Because of this, you’ll see the Candler name everywhere. There’s the Candler School of Theology, the Charles Howard Candler professorships (named after Asa’s son), and the Asa Griggs Candler Professor seats.
A common mistake people make is thinking these are only for business or theology. Nope. You’ll find an Asa Griggs Candler Professor in:
- The Law School (like Margo Bagley, an expert in intellectual property).
- Public Health (like Matthew Freeman, who works on global sanitation).
- The Sciences (like Huw Davies, a heavy hitter in organic chemistry).
It’s a multidisciplinary badge of honor. If you see this title, you’re looking at someone who has probably published hundreds of papers, won massive federal grants, or written the definitive book on their subject.
Why does this matter to you?
If you’re a student, having an Asa Griggs Candler Professor on your transcript or as a mentor is a huge flex. It means you’re learning from the top 1% of the top 1%.
For the rest of us, these positions are a bellwether for where academic research is heading. When Emory appoints a new Candler professor in, say, Nursing or Environmental Health, it’s a signal that they are doubling down on that field. It’s an investment in the "brain gain" of the region.
Honestly, the academic world can be a bit stuffy with its titles, but this one is legit. It represents the intersection of old-school Southern philanthropy and modern, cutting-edge research.
What to look for next
If you're tracking the influence of these scholars, keep an eye on the Emory News Center or the specific school's faculty page. New appointments usually happen once or twice a year as senior faculty are recruited from other top-tier institutions.
If you are a graduate student or a researcher, look for the work of current holders like Ifeoma Ajunwa (Law) or Vincent Cornell (Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies). Their recent publications are usually the gold standard in their respective departments. Seeing how they leverage the "Candler" platform to influence public policy or scientific breakthroughs is the best way to see the endowment's true ROI in action.
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Don't just look at the title; look at the output. That's where the real story is.