Lloyd Knox Named 1st Endowed Chair of Physics and Astronomy by Courtney Tompkins June 25, 2024 News & Noteworthy Science & Technology The Vaida Chair — the first endowed faculty position in the Department of Physics and Astronomy — was established with a $1.5 million estate gift from Michael L. Vaida, Ph.D. ’73, and his wife, Ester Vaida.