The John A. Widtsoe Presidential Endowed Chair has been established by the University of Utah in honor of its fourth president, a prominent figure in the Church.
Elder Widtsoe served as University of Utah president from 1916 until he was called to be an apostle in 1921. He was a member of the Council of the Twelve until his death on Nov. 29, 1952.Dr. Arthur K. Smith, current university president, said the Widtsoe chair is fully endowed at $1.25 million. It is the Department of Chemistry's second endowed chair. Dr. C. Dale Poulter, professor of chemistry, has been appointed to the Widtsoe chair.
Elder Widtsoe earned a bachelor's degree and a doctorate from Harvard University. He taught at Utah State University and BYU before becoming the University of Utah's president.
Among his accomplishments were putting the school's rules and regulations in order, reorganizing liberal education requirements, strengthening the faculty by attracting outstanding scholars from Eastern schools, and encouraging students to earn Ph.Ds. The building on President's Circle that houses the Department of Mathematics bears his name.
