Endowed Faculty: Investing in Groundbreaking Scholarship
Endowed faculty positions at Whitworth University are vital to sustaining the university's academic distinction and faith-centered mission. These roles enable Whitworth to attract and retain top-tier scholars who bring expertise, innovation, and a commitment to integrating faith with learning.
With the stability of endowed support, faculty can pursue groundbreaking research, design forward-looking academic programs, and contribute thought leadership in their fields. They also mentor students in ways that extend beyond the classroom, fostering intellectual curiosity and guiding them toward lives of purpose.
By ensuring that Whitworth remains a place where exceptional scholars can thrive, endowed faculty positions strengthen the university's academic reputation and energize the learning community.
To establish a new endowed faculty position, click here.
Trustee and alumnus David Myers '64 and his wife, alumna Carol (Peterkin) Myers '65, funded this endowed position in honor of Carol's grandmother Amy M. (Johns) Ryan, who attended Whitworth from 1894-97. The professorship is awarded to an outstanding faculty member who embodies Ryan's love of the liberal arts, her skill in writing and her innovative spirit.
The Bruner-Welch Chair was established in 2006 and named in honor of Dale Bruner, one of Whitworth's most influential and popular theology professors. It is also named for the late William J. Welch, a longtime elder in the Presbyterian Church, and his former wife, Peggy Layman Welch.
The Charles L. Boppell Dean of the Whitworth School of Business was established in 2011 by Chuck '65 and Karlyn (Allbee) Boppell '67. Chuck was the CEO of a number of multinational food-service corporations and served on Whitworth's board of trustees since 1983, serving as its chairperson from 1992-2008. 
The Dan C. & Barbara A. Sanford Fellowship for Business Excellence was established in 2004 by Dan '65 and Barbara Sanford '66. Dan served Whitworth for 30 years as professor of international studies, associate dean, and director of the graduate program in international management, while Barbara was active in the alumni office and the chaplain's office.
The Edward B. Lindaman Chair is named for the university's 14th president. The position is an endowed, rotating chair for senior faculty members who are engaged in significant regional and national academic initiatives and who contribute to public dialogue concerning important social issues.
Tim Cheek '81 and Sue (Hinkle) Cheek '80 established the Harry Dixon Endowed Professorship in Economics in honor of Harry Dixon, who taught economics and business at Whitworth for nearly 25 years.
The Hugh W. Johnston Endowed Professorship in Chemistry was established in 2015 by a gift from Hugh William Johnston, Ph.D., who served Whitworth over 50 years as professor of chemistry (1957 to 1978), director of development, and as a volunteer in the Whitworth Archives.
The Kenneth Roberts Endowed Professorship in Finance and Accounting is named for trustee and alumnus Ken Roberts '68. Roberts has been active with the Whitworth Student Investment Group (WSIG) since its inception and helped establish the Robblee-Roberts Student Investment Fund.
The Margo Long Endowed Chair in Gifted Education is named for Whitworth Associate Professor Emeritus Margo Long, who founded the university's Center for Gifted Education in 1979 and worked as its director until her retirement in 2011. The endowment was made possible by a generous donation from Wanda and Jim Cowles.
The Sue Chandler Endowed Professorship in Education was established by Scott Chandler '84, a member of Whitworth's board of trustees. It's named in honor of his wife, Sue '85, who has been an instrumental force for improving education in her community of Littleton, Colo.
The Storm Family Dean of Spiritual Life was established in 2018 by Anne (McCulloch) Storm and Kim Paul Storm, both '74, out of their passion for spiritual life at Whitworth and their support of Whitworth's unwavering commitment to Christian spiritual formation.