The T.B. Walker Foundation, an anonymous donor and others have committed $1.5 million to Westmont College toward the creation of the college’s first endowed chair in the natural and behavioral sciences.

The T.B. Walker Foundation Chair in the Natural & Behavioral Sciences will honor the work of an outstanding faculty member in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering/physics, mathematics or psychology.

The chair will be awarded to a Westmont professor every three to five years. It is the second rotating chair established at Westmont in the past year. In June, Rick Pointer, Westmont professor of history, was selected as the first recipient of the newly established Fletcher Jones Foundation Endowed Chair in Social Science.

The Walker chair includes a reduced teaching load (one fewer class each year) so the professor can focus on research.

“Not only does the new chair bring prestige to its holder and the institution, but the research opportunities will enhance students’ education as well,” said Warren Rogers, interim academic dean.

A professor will be named to the chair once all of the funding has been received.

Scott Craig is Westmont College‘s media relations manager.