The position of Joseph Pellegrino University Professor is one of 23 University Professorships at Harvard University. As of 2009, the post is held by Peter L. Galison, a historian of science and physicist. Previous holders of the chair were Robert Nozick, a philosopher, and Edward O. Wilson, the biologist, who is currently Pellegrino University Research Professor (an emeritus professor).
University Professorships are the most distinguished position a Harvard professor can attain. They were created at Harvard in 1935 for professors with exceptional cross-discipline, groundbreaking research. The Pellegrino University Professorship was established in 1992 with gifts from Giuseppe (Joseph) P. Pellegrino, a 1960 alumnus, and his family.
Pellegrino is president of Langford Capital Corp. and former president of the Prince Co., formerly owned by his family. A long-running series of national radio television commercials proclaiming "In the North End of Boston, Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day", became a cultural touchstone in the 1960s and 1970s.
As of 2009, Pellegrino is a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences' Dean's Council, the Committee on University Resources, the FAS Boston Major Gifts Steering Committee, the Visiting Committee for Athletics, and the Advisory Committee for Shareholder Responsibility. He has also established a scholarship fund for the college, and has provided philanthropically to improve the basketball facilities.
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