[Editors] And the survey SAYS...

[Scott Campbell]

With thanks to all who answered, the answers to the queries below are:

>Does one say that Professor Ciochetti has been appointed TO the Eastman 
>Chair?  Or that Professor Ciochetti has been appointed AS the Eastman Chair?

As to the proper preposition, I tip my hat to Ellen Hoffman: "He's 
appointed *to* the Eastman Chair. (He has not *become* a professorship.)"

There is, however, more to know.  According to a highly reliable source who 
wishes to remain mysterious, the provost has decreed that in the future, 
"chair" will no longer apply to named professorships. Instead, we are 
directed to use "the So and So Professorship", or simply "the 
professorship," in any reference. The term "chair," meanwhile, will apply 
to, and only to, sponsored/endowed non-faculty positions, such as that held 
by Tim Berners-Lee.

>And is it the Eastman Chair IN the MIT Center for Real Estate?  Or OF the 
>MIT Center?  Or AT the Center?

The preposition of choice seems to be 'in', with a weak second place for 'at'.

Glad we got THAT cleared up.  Happy weekending.