Academic Chairs

A gift that promotes excellence in higher education.

An academic chair is considered one of the greatest honors that a University can bestow upon a faculty member. This prestigious appointment is also an enduring tribute to the donor who establishes it. At Pepperdine, chairs provide leadership and are crucial for recruiting and retaining the highest-quality faculty. This position is reserved for a distinguished teacher/scholar who holds the rank of professor. In most cases, the chair holder will have a reputation that extends beyond the Pepperdine community. The tenure of this position is dependent upon a review by the Rank, Tenure, and Promotion Committee (RTP) every five years. If the RTP’s evaluation is positive, the holder of the named chair retains the position until she or he leaves the university or retires.

Stipends are derived from endowment funds that will underwrite research, travel, and other professional costs. Holders of these appointments will access these funds through the Associate Dean for Research and will receive them in lieu of money normally allocated to them for professional travel, etc., from the division’s general operating budget.