NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, June 11, 2025: Emory University’s Goizueta Business School has announced the establishment of the Dr. Jagdish N. Sheth Endowed Professorship in Marketing, honoring one of the world’s most influential marketing scholars. The new position aims to attract a senior-level marketing faculty member whose work embodies academic excellence, industry relevance, and global impact.
Dr. Sheth, the Charles H. Kellstadt Professor of Business, has been a cornerstone of marketing scholarship for more than six decades. His contributions—spanning consumer behavior, relationship marketing, and emerging markets—include over 350 research papers and 30 books. Before joining Emory in 1991, Sheth held faculty appointments at MIT, Columbia, and the University of Southern California.
“Dr. Jagdish Sheth has made unparalleled contributions to the field of marketing,” said Emory University President Gregory L. Fenves. “The scholar who holds this endowed faculty position will carry forward Dr. Sheth’s legacy and advance Goizueta Business School’s standing as a marketing powerhouse.”
The endowed chair was made possible through the support of numerous donors, led by a major gift from Manu and Rika Shah, co-founders of MS International. The Shahs, who share a long-standing personal and professional relationship with the Sheth family, expressed their admiration in a joint tribute.
“With profound admiration for Dr. Jagdish Sheth—a visionary scholar, global marketing guru, and treasured member of our extended family—we proudly support this endowed chair in honor of his enduring impact on academia, business, and humanity,” the Shahs stated.
The professorship is intended to bolster Goizueta’s ability to recruit and retain world-class marketing faculty, promote innovation in areas such as AI, analytics, and sustainability, and ensure students are prepared for the evolving demands of the marketplace.
Dean Gareth James of Goizueta Business School emphasized Sheth’s lasting influence: “This endowed chair ensures that his commitment to excellence continues to influence future generations of scholars and students.”
Dr. Sheth expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition. “I am deeply grateful to President Fenves and Dean James for this incredible honor, to Manu and Rika Shah for their generous support, and to my loving wife, Madhu, for her unwavering support throughout this journey,” he said.
The endowed professorship stands as a testament to Sheth’s lifelong dedication to scholarship, mentorship, and global thought leadership. A global search is currently underway to appoint the first recipient of the chair.
For more information or to support the professorship, visit together.emory.edu/ShethMKTG25.
