Claremont Graduate University in California announced today the establishment of the Howard W. Hunter Chair for Mormon Studies — the first of its kind at a secular university in the United States.
The professorship is named after Howard W. Hunter (1907-1995), who served as the 14th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While President Hunter was not a native Californian, after law school he chose to keep his family in California, where he became a leading corporate attorney.
"Mormonism is one of the least understood religions," said Karen Torjesen, dean of the School of Religion.
University president Robert Klitgaard commented: "Our School of Religion is working with diverse communities of faith to create new vehicles for understanding. The new chair in Mormon studies is a pioneering example."
The university hopes to have funding in place to begin coursework in the fall of 2007.