PRINCETON, N.J. (Diya TV) — Princeton University has announced the establishment of the U. Krishna Veeraraghavan ’99 and Sejal Shah University Professorship, one of seven newly endowed professorships created through major gifts to its Venture Forward campaign.
The professorship, endowed by Indian American donors Krishna Veeraraghavan and Sejal Shah, is among the highest academic honors Princeton can confer. University Professorships are reserved for faculty with exceptional records in research and teaching, and the title is not tied to any specific academic field, allowing recognition of excellence across all disciplines.
Veeraraghavan, a 1999 Princeton alumnus, is the global co-head of the mergers and acquisitions group at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Shah is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of SmarterSkin Dermatology, a private cosmetic dermatology clinic in New York City.
“I’ve always been proud of Princeton’s single-minded pursuit of excellence,” Veeraraghavan said in a statement to the University. “Coming back to campus last spring for my 25th Reunion reiterated how lucky I am to be part of this university for life. I think of where I am today, and it all started with my time at Princeton.”
He added that he and Shah wanted to give back in a meaningful way. “It became clear to us that attracting the best and brightest professors is essential to the future of the University,” Veeraraghavan said. “So much has changed in just the past few years—think AI, quantum computing, the biosciences, and even the role of the humanities in all those disciplines.”
Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber praised the newly created University Professorships, calling them a recognition of “individuals who have produced transformative scholarship and are spectacular teachers.”
Dean of the Faculty Gene Jarrett, who also holds the title of William S. Tod Professor of English, said the professorships represent a rare opportunity to celebrate “peerless educators” whose research and teaching shape the world.
University Professorships were first introduced at Princeton in 1962. Since then, only 73 faculty members have received the title, according to the university. The honor is not limited by departmental boundaries, allowing Princeton to reward excellence across the humanities, sciences, and emerging interdisciplinary fields.
This is not the couple’s first contribution to their alma mater. In 2019, Veeraraghavan and Shah established the Krishna Veeraraghavan ’99 Fund, which supports college access. They also contribute regularly to Princeton’s Annual Giving campaign.
By endowing this new professorship, they hope to ensure that Princeton remains a magnet for the world’s most talented and innovative educators. “We want this Professorship to honor brilliant teachers who’ve not only produced world-class research,” Veeraraghavan emphasized, “but who also have the capacity for even greater future growth.”
In addition to the Veeraraghavan and Shah Professorship, Princeton named six other new University Professorships, honoring donors including Andrew K. Golden, Bruce R. Lauritzen, Neil A. Omenn, Thor Johnson, William M. Addy, and one anonymous benefactor.
The University noted that these appointments reflect a long-term strategy to invest in faculty excellence as part of its broader Venture Forward campaign, which aims to bolster Princeton’s global impact through philanthropy and academic leadership.
