James Madison University announced Oct. 20 that a $500,000 gift from chemistry alumnus John Powers ’84 established the John W. Powers Endowed Professorship of Materials Chemistry, the first endowed professorship in JMU’s College of Science and Mathematics, according to the university.
JMU said the professorship will provide a full-time, tenure-track faculty member specializing in materials and polymer chemistry with $20,000 annually to support their work. The university said the endowment is intended to support faculty mentorship and student research opportunities.
According to JMU, Powers initially enrolled as a communications major, switched to geology during his first semester and later changed to chemistry after a conversation with professor Tom DeVore. JMU said Powers conducted undergraduate research in DeVore’s lab, later earned two master’s degrees and developed a career in materials and polymer chemistry before teaching part time at JMU. The university said Powers made the gift to support faculty who mentor students, with the goal of extending those relationships beyond graduation.
