The professorship is funded by Greg Hinckley and Mary Chomenko Hinckley, longtime supporters of Portland State University. Greg Hinckley is a retired president of Mentor Graphics in Wilsonville and has been involved with Portland State University for many years. He is currently a member of the Maseeh College of Engineering Deans Executive Council and serves as chair of the PSU Board of Trustees. Mary Chomenko Hinckley is an accomplished artist who serves on the PSU College of the Arts Dean’s Council. Over the years, the Hinckley’s have funded scholarships for choral music and engineering students at PSU.