This endowed chair is named for Dr. Thomas C. and Janet M. Graul and is designed to promote interdisciplinary approaches to arts and languages with a particular focus on international perspectives. At the University of Dayton, this includes music, art, design, theater, dance, performance technology, and global language and culture.

Beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year, Sharon Davis Gratto, professor in the Department of Music, brings her international experience, professional work in world music, and ties to Dayton-area performing arts organizations to support the first-year experience and to develop new initiatives in the arts and languages. Gratto’s theme for her work as Graul Chair is to continue to connect arts and languages at the University of Dayton to the campus, the community, and the world through collaborative interdisciplinary experiences in diverse locations.