The Watkins Visiting Professorship Series brings distinguished scientists to the Wichita
State University campus. Visiting scientists give lectures, demonstrations, or other
presentations about their research which furthers the science education of students
and scientific research of our faculty. Typically, each natural science department
in Fairmount College (biological sciences, chemistry, geology and physics) hosts a
guest scientist each year.
The professorship series was created in 1974 by the Watkins Foundation. This grant
is now provided through the Watkins fund, a part of the Wichita State University Foundation’s
endowment. This fund makes it possible for four to six scientists to visit campus
each year. The professorship carries a stipend of $5,000 in addition to travel and
accommodations in Wichita.
The Watkins fund may also support summer fellowships to regional high school teachers,
community college faculty, and small college faculty, whose areas of interests are
related to the life sciences. Summer fellowship opportunities are subject to annual
funding availability.
