Endowed Chairs

Harold R. Adams '48 Chair in Biological Sciences, established in 2020 by the bequest of Dr. Harold R. Adams, Class of 1948, of Minnesota and KentuckyIncumbent: Megan Hoffman, Professor of Biology.

Morris B. Belknap, Jr. Chair in Fine Arts, founded in 1954, through a bequest of Morris B. Belknap Jr., of Louisville, Kentucky. Incumbent: Lisa Kriner, Professor of Art.

Julia Parmly Billings Chair in Child and Family Studies, endowed in 1919, by Elizabeth Billings of New York City, in memory of her mother. Incumbent: Katrina Rivers Thompson, Professor of Child and Family Studies.

Robert Charles Billings Chair in Education, founded in 1903, by Robert Charles Billings of Boston, Massachusetts. Incumbent: Nicholas Hartlep, Associate Professor of Education.

Clarence M. Clark Chair in Mountain Agriculture, founded in 1920 by Clarence M. Clark of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Incumbent: Michael Sean Clark, Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Susan V. Clayton Chair in Nursing, endowed in 1967 by Will L. Clayton and his daughters in memory of Mrs. Will L. Clayton. Incumbent: Monica Kennison, Professor of Nursing.

Compton Chair in Sustainability, endowed in 2000 through a gift from the Compton Foundation and designed to provide expertise and leadership for teaching concepts of sustainability and for campus-wide progress toward sustainable practice. Incumbent: Nancy Gift, Professor of Environmental Studies.

Gordon and Mary Cosby Jubilee Chair in Interracial Education and Justice, established in 2023 through a gift from F. Chapman Taylor and Grace Boey Taylor in honor of the founders of one of Washington, D.C.'s first interracial churches. Incumbent: José Pimienta-Bey, Professor of African and African American Studies.

Julian-Van Dusen Chair in American History, established in 1953 through bequests of William A. Julian, Washington, D.C., former Trustee, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Van Dusen, Detroit, Michigan. Incumbent: Vacant.

Goode Professorship in Black or Appalachian Studies, endowed in 1988 by Dorothy Goode and Dr. Roland Goode of Virginia. Incumbent: Chad Berry, Professor of History.

William R. Gruver Chair in Leadership Studies, established in 2004 in support of the study of leadership theories and practices in community, non-profit, and business settings in the Appalachian region and beyond. Incumbent: Daniel N. Huck, Associate Professor of General Studies.

John D. and Lois C. Huan Chair in Earth Sciences, established in 2022 through a bequest from John D. Huan and Lois C. Huan of Colorado. Incumbent: Suzanne Birner, Assistant Professor of Geology.

William J. Hutchins Alumni Chair, established in 1959 by the bequest of William J. Hutchins, President Emeritus, and the gifts of William H. Danforth and many alumni. Incumbent: Fred de Rosset, Professor of Spanish.

Charles F. Kettering Chair in Science, founded in 1959, by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation of Yellow Springs, Ohio. Incumbent: Dawn Anderson, Professor of Biology.

Eli Lilly Chair in Religion and Culture, endowed in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lilly of Indianapolis, Indiana, as an integral part of the Campus Christian Center and designed to strengthen and unify the intellectual and Christian purposes of the College. Incumbent: Vacant.

Eli Lilly Chair in Religion, endowed in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Eli Lilly of Indianapolis, Indiana, as an integral part of the Campus Christian Center and designed to strengthen and unify the intellectual and Christian purposes of the College. Incumbent: Duane A. Smith, Associate Professor of Religions and Spirituality.

Laban T. and LaVerna R. McClure Chair in Technology and Industrial Arts, established in 2010 by the bequests of Dr. Laban T. “Mac” and LaVerna McClure. Incumbent: Gary Mahoney, Professor of Engineering Technologies and Applied Design.

Foster G. McGaw Chair in Nursing, established in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Foster McGaw, founder of American Hospital Supply Corporation. Incumbent: Lisa Turner, Associate Professor of Nursing.

Francis Alexander McGaw Chair in Religion, established in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Foster McGaw of Evanston, Illinois, in memory of Mr. McGaw’s father, a minister in the Appalachian Mountains and missionary to Africa. Incumbent: Vacant

Mary W. McGaw Chair in Music, endowed in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Foster McGaw; Mrs. McGaw, a musician, considered the arts to be an important aspect of liberal education. Incumbent: Xiangtang Hong, Associate Professor of Music.

W. George Matton Chair in Business, endowed in 1971 by a bequest from W.G. Matton of Louisville, Kentucky. Incumbent: Maurice Reid, Associate Professor of Management.

W. George Matton Chair in Economics, endowed in 1971 by a bequest from W.G. Matton of Louisville, Kentucky. Incumbent: Caryn Vazzana, Associate Professor of Economics.

Bradford and Christine Miller Mishler Art Chair, established in 2004 by a bequest from Christine Miller Mishler of Bradbury, California. Incumbent: Eileen McKiernan Gonzàlez, Professor of Art.

William and Kay Moore Chair of Entrepreneurship and Management, endowed in 1999 by a gift from William T. Moore Jr., Berea Alumnus from the class of 1945, to provide leadership for the Entrepreneurship for the Public Good Program and entrepreneurial expertise for the Department of Business and Economics. Incumbent: Vacant.

National Endowment for the Humanities Chair in Appalachian Studies, established in 1997 through a matching-funds endowment grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to provide greater support for faculty research in Appalachian Studies and for the integration of regional materials into the classroom. Incumbent: Silas House, Professor of Appalachian Studies.

Milton and Annie Page Chair in Biology, established in 2023 through a bequest from Dr. Roy C. Page of Seattle, Washington, in honor of his parents. Incumbent: Roy Scudder-Davis, Professor of Biology.

Henry Mixter Penniman Chair in Philosophy, founded in 1920, by Henry D. Woods of Newton, Massachusetts. Incumbent: Eric Pearson, Associate Professor of Philosophy.

Chester D. Tripp Chair in Humanities, established in 1974 through the bequest of Chester D. Tripp of Chicago, Illinois. Incumbent: Ronald Stephen Gowler, Professor of General Studies.

Carter G. Woodson Chair in African-American History, established in 1972 by Mr. and Mrs. Foster McGaw of Evanston, Illinois, in memory of Dr. Carter Woodson, Berea alumnus and founder of the “Journal of Negro History.” Incumbent: Dwayne Mack, Professor of History.

Mabel D. Worth Chair in Science, established in 2007 through a bequest from W. Leslie and Mabel D. Worth of Sun City, Arizona. Incumbent: Mary Robert Garrett, Professor of Chemistry.

W. Leslie Worth Chair in Science, established in 2007 through a bequest from W. Leslie and Mabel D. Worth of Sun City, Arizona. Incumbent: Tracy Hodge, Professor of Physics.