Professor Jen Schomaker hosts endowed professorship donors Dr. Edward and Mrs. Nancy Fody
This spring, Dr. Edward and Mrs. Nancy Fody visited the Department of Chemistry ahead of the College of Letters & Science 2025 Investiture Ceremony on Friday, April 25, 2025. At the ceremony, faculty members from the four divisions of the College, including Professor Schomaker, were presented with a medallion by L&S Dean Eric M. Wilcots. The Fodys were formally recognized, and Professor Schomaker was conferred with the Edward and Nancy Fody Professorship in Chemistry. “Attaining an endowed position is a tremendous honor,” Dean Wilcots said in his introduction. “It reflects not only the hard work and passion that these faculty members have put in over the years, but it also reflects that their scholarship has had an impact on their disciplines, on their communities, and on society at large.”
Dr. Fody, who earned his master’s degree in chemistry at UW–Madison (‘71), conducted early research on the role of chemical compounds in cancer therapy—a focus he continued throughout his career as a physician. Mrs. (Keipe) Fody, a UW–Madison alumna (‘72) with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, has been a steadfast partner in his professional journey in pathology. During their visit to the department, the couple toured facilities, met with Professor Schomaker, and learned more about her group’s research on novel mechanisms of action for tuberculosis treatment.
Dr. Fody’s distinguished career includes playing a major role in establishing new laboratories at three different hospitals, as well as serving as Chief of Pathology for Western Michigan Pathology Associates and teaching at both the University of Arkansas Medical School and the University of Texas Medical School. Dr. Fody is the co-editor of the best-selling text, Clinical Chemistry – Principles, Techniques and Correlations, now in its ninth edition.
Professor Schomaker expressed her gratitude for the Fodys’ generosity in endowing the Edward and Nancy Fody Professorship in Chemistry. “Among the many things I appreciate about this financial support is its flexibility,” remarked Jen. “It allows us to explore new research ideas, attend key conferences, and support our students in professional development activities that help them achieve their career goals.”