The distinguished individual selected for this prestigious position must be a nurse with an earned doctorate in nursing or a related professional discipline and who is nationally or internationally recognized for contributions to research in nursing, especially as it relates to African American health problems and issues. Initiation of the visiting professorship occurred in 1995, with a Gala Inaugural Dinner and the first Annual Research Day, held March 9th. Juanita W. Fleming, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, was the first M. Elizabeth Carnegie Endowed Visiting Professor. Over the past six years, notable researchers such as Dr. Beverly Malone and Dr. Sandra Millon-Underwood, have held the Visiting Professorship.