Catholic, Jewish studies professorships established

Gifts totaling $2.4 million from four private foundations will establish professorships in Roman Catholic thought and modern Jewish studies for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at KU.

The professorships, which are part of an ongoing effort to diversify the study of world religions and the humanities, were funded through gifts to the KU Endowment Association from foundations in Topeka, Lawrence, Wichita and Kansas City, Mo.

The Sabatini Family Foundation of Topeka pledged $500,000 to create the Caldwell-Sabatini Professorship in Roman Catholic Thought Fund.

The private foundation of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center in Lawrence gave $500,000 for the same professorship through a bequest left for the center by the late Jack and Delores Caldwell of Topeka.
The Robert M. Beren Foundation of Wichita pledged $500,000 to create the Robert M. Beren Distinguished Professorship in Modern Jewish Studies.

Matching gifts were provided for both funds through previous gifts from the Hall Family Foundation of Kansas City.

A portion of the interest earned on each endowed professorship will fund a salary stipend and provide support for professional travel, graduate student researchers, equipment or other materials for the faculty member awarded the professorship. Nationwide searches to select candidates for the professorships will begin this fall. Both professors selected will be associated with the KU Department of Religious Studies, which launched a Jewish studies undergraduate minor in 2001.