Celebrating the work of our extraordinary faculty is critical to who we are as a school and as a community. One of the many ways Taft acknowledges and supports exceptional faculty is by awarding endowed teaching chairs. This week, Taft honored four faculty members; they join 18 current chair holders.

Dating back to 1502 and the University of Cambridge, endowed chairs honor faculty for their work in specific disciplines, roles, or impact on the school community. The practice was created to attract top scholars in specific disciplines, enhance institutional prestige, and perpetuate donor legacy.

Congratulations to each of the honorees!

Shavar Bernier, Associate Dean of Students
The Donald Oscarson '47 Master Chair

The Donald Oscarson '47 Master Chair, established in 2013 in memory of classics teacher Donald Oscarson '47, is awarded to a Taft faculty member who best represents Oscie's legacy as a strong mentor to both students and faculty, who has served for a minimum of ten years, who represents Oscie's unwavering commitment to students and faculty, and who—like Oscie—has positioned himself or herself as a leader among the Taft faculty.
 

Dr. Mostafa Mirabi, Mathematics
The Robert A. Taft ’06 Chair

The Robert A. Taft '06 Chair was established in 1969 by brothers Robert A. Taft, Jr. '35, Lloyd B. Taft ’40, and Horace D. Taft '43 to honor their father, Senator Taft. The holder of this chair is selected by the Head of School and is awarded to an outstanding member of the faculty whose teaching has inspired intellectual excellence among students and faculty alike.
 

Pilar Santos, Senior Class Dean, Director of Global Leadership Institute, World Language
The Littlejohn Family Chair

The Littlejohn Family Chair, established in 2005 by Angus and Leslie Littlejohn, is awarded to a faculty member whose commitment to the whole student through their 10-plus years of classroom teaching at Taft exemplifies the underlying philosophy of the Taft education, and who demonstrates a passion for his or her academic discipline, a profound caring for the emotional and intellectual life of students, and has made a significant and positive difference in the lives of Taft students.

TJ Thompson, Instrumental Music
The Marvin Chair

The Marvin Chair, established in 1996 through the bequest of Dr. and Mrs. Harold Marvin and the generosity of his son, John T. Marvin, Class of 1946, is awarded to an outstanding member of Taft's Music Department.



Read about the existing endowed chairs here.