Santa Monica College Foundation’s Chairs of Excellence Program is unique, indeed, for community colleges.

Each year the Foundation strives to establish one new chair by setting up a $100,000 endowed fund, usually named for its primary benefactor. Often one may establish a chair with a $50,000 donation, matched then by an available public or private grant. To find out if the matching option is available, contact the Foundation office. (310) 434-4215.

There are currently five chairs: Avaya Inc. & Anixter, Inc. COE in Life Science; Northrop Grumman/Elkin COE in Physical Science; John F. Drescher COE in Earth Science; Ilona Jo Katz COE in Music; Sam Francis/Martin Sosin COE in Fine Arts; and Saint John’s Health Center COE in Nursing.

Designed as an incentive for faculty members to try new, innovative avenues to improve both their career as well as their student’s learning environment, those chosen as recipients of the awards receive $5000 annually for three years.

Awardees are selected by a committee comprised of department colleagues and Foundation representatives.