News Story

Chair for Mormon Studies Planned at Claremont

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.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.