The Divinity School celebrated its newest endowed chair last week, the Elizabeth H. Monrad Professorship of World Christianity. Ernest E. Monrad '51 and Elizabeth H. Monrad have given Harvard $2 million to establish the professorship in the hope of fostering a deeper understanding of Christianity as an international religious tradition.

At the Jewett House festivities, President Neil L. Rudenstine said, "The Monrads have long been warm and generous supporters of the Divinity School. Betty's interest in the history of Christianity engaged her and drew her to the School, and helped inspire the new professorship that we celebrate today. Betty and Ernie are exactly the sort of people who make the lives of a dean and a president deeply rewarding and enjoyable. They exemplify and convey the qualities that lie at the heart of an institution like ours, and I thank them for their wonderful friendship and support."

Ronald F. Thiemann, Dean of the Divinity School and John Lord O'Brian Professor of Divinity, noted that the faculty had long hoped to add a distinguished scholar to examine the national, international, and cultural interactions between Christianity and other faith traditions. He added, "Betty and Ernie Monrad are very dear to Harvard Divinity School, where they have played many important roles."

Elaborating on the chair's purpose was Harvey G. Cox Jr., the Victor S. Thomas Professor of Divinity: "Not long ago, we understood religions of the world to occupy their own separate spheres of influence. But the major religions of the world are everywhere now. They are in diaspora, and Christianity is the most global and widely dispersed of all. For instance, the majority of Christians live outside the western world, in Africa, Asia, and South America."

One of Harvard's most involved alumni, Ernie Monrad chairs the Divinity School's campaign and its Dean's Council. In 1991, he was awarded the Harvard Medal from the Harvard Alumni Association in honor of his extraordinary service to the University. He is now chairman of the John Harvard Society, the Overseers' Visiting Committee to the Russian Research Center, and the Class of 1951. He is also a member of the Committee on University Resources Campaign Executive Committee and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Boston Major Gifts Steering Committee. He previously served as chairman of the Harvard College Fund, director of the Harvard Alumni Association, and member of the Visiting Committee to the College, among other positions. Monrad is the chairman of Northeast Investors Trust in Boston.

In 1982, the Monrads established the Ernest E. Monrad Professorship of Russian Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Monrad explained his motivation for devoting extensive time and energy to the University over the years: "Education is the future and I strongly believe that Harvard is the best institution of higher education in the world."

Betty Monrad, a graduate of Bradford College, serves not only her community but also Harvard as a member of the Divinity School's Ministerial Advisory Council. In 1989, the couple established a fund at Harvard to provide scholarships for divinity students.

The Monrads have three children, two of whom attended the College.

"Establishing this professorship is a wonderful way to express Betty's affection for her church, my affection for Harvard, and the affection we both have for the world of the mind," commented Ernie Monrad.

A highlight of the festivities was the news that the the professorship would be named in honor of Betty Monrad, a surprise for her. She expressed her pleasure: "Ernie has done many generous things, but for me this is the most meaningful and lasting thing he could do."