Ann and Rud Turnbull were named the first Marianna and Ross Beach Distinguished Professors at Kansas University. Both are international leading researchers on issues affecting individuals with disabilities and their families. They co-founded the Beach Center and have been co-directors since 1988.

The professorships were established to provide permanent support at the Beach Center on Disability, a center that facilitates collaboration on special education issues. The center has generated more than $32 million in external funding, and the Turnbulls oversaw $22 million of that.