The gift comes from the estate of Marguerite Z. Hedberg, a USC math professor for 30 years, and will establish the Wyman Loren Williams and Ernest Albert and Marguerite Zeigel Hedberg Chair of Mathematics.

The endowed chair, which will be the fifth for the College of Science and Mathematics, will provide a salary supplement for the professor who will be chosen for this appointment, as well as funds for research assistants, travel, and publications.

President Sorensen said the gift exemplifies the commitment of the Hedbergs and USC faculty.

"This gift is a wonderful example of the dedication of our University faculty. Not only did the Hedbergs make a significant impact on the education of USC students across three decades, but the establishment of this endowed chair will enable the University to attract other top mathematics faculty who will continue the Hedbergs' contributions to teaching and research," Sorensen said.

"Marguerite Hedberg also honors the academic contributions of another outstanding faculty member by including Dr. Wyman Williams' name for the chair."

Before joining USC's faculty, the Hedbergs worked on projects related to World War II military needs. Ernest Hedberg conducted research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the couple worked on a top-secret project of the University of California. The project, headquartered at the Empire State Building In New York City, involved mathematical work related to nuclear research.

After the war, the Hedbergs were recruited to USC by Williams, who joined the University's faculty in 1924 as an adjunct professor and became an associate professor in 1931.

Williams was promoted to professor in 1938 and was head of the mathematics department from 1942 to 1967.

He began the University's doctoral program in mathematics in 1960. He started the National Science Foundation Institute for High School Teachers in 1959 and was director until 1970. Williams was named professor emeritus in 1970.

Marguerite Hedberg was named associated professor of mathematics emerita upon her retirement in 1976. She died Aug. 27, 2002, on her 95th birthday.

Other endowed chairs in the College of Science and Mathematics are in geology, chemistry, physics, and biology.

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