Harry Lyman Hooker

Dr. Harry Lyman Hooker was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in Hamilton. In 1904, he graduated from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and went on to practice internal medicine. Upon his death in 1979, McMaster University received a $25 million bequest, which supports numerous initiatives across campus. In the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), this includes the annual awarding of the Hooker Distinguished University Professor, which supports visits from distinguished speakers and lecturers.

Each year in June, two designated departments/schools (from the list below) will be notified of their eligibility to invite a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor for the following calendar year.

• The eligible departments/school must submit a one-page proposal to the FHS Faculty Relations Office by October 31. The Guide to Completing the Hooker Visiting Professor Proposal (PDF) has been developed to assist you.
• Faculty relations will then submit the proposals to the FHS Nominations and Awards Committee (NomCom) for review and approval at their November meeting. Departments/schools will be notified of the committee’s decision following this meeting.
• If one (or both) of the eligible departments/schools choose not to participate, the next one (or two) departments/schools on the rotation will be contacted to submit a proposal to the FHS Faculty Relations Office by January 15 (for distribution to the FHS Nominations and Awards Committee). The departments/schools will be notified of the committee’s decision as soon as possible.
• Once notified of the committee’s decision, the department/school must then submit the necessary documentation for a Hooker Distinguished Visiting Professor appointment, as per the checklist, and submit to the FHS Faculty Relations Office at least six weeks prior to the proposed start date.

Please refer to the Hooker Distinguished University Professor Policy (PDF) for information about honorarium and travel expenses.