Whitworth Alumni Invest in the Future with Endowed Professorships in the School of Business
Kenneth Roberts Endowed Professorship in Finance and Accounting
Ken Roberts ’68 has established an endowed professorship in finance and accounting. After graduating from Whitworth, Roberts received his MBA from Harvard University. Roberts retired from Palouse Capital Management, Inc., an investment advisory company, in 2023 and has had a 53-year investment career.
Roberts has been active with the Whitworth Student Investment Group (WSIG) since its inception and helped establish the Robblee-Roberts Student Investment Fund. This part of the Whitworth University Endowment is managed by WSIG students, providing them with real-life management and investment experience.
Roberts serves as a member of the Whitworth Board of Trustees, the Whitworth Finance Advisory Council, the Whitworth Business Advisory Board and the Whitworth Foundation.
Harry Dixon Endowed Professorship in Economics
The late Harry Dixon taught economics and business at Whitworth for nearly 25 years. Students called him “Mr. Whitworth,” and he was named "most influential professor" by senior classes several times throughout his career.
During his tenure, Dixon helped build a business major within the existing economics department, eventually leading to a major in accounting as well. He also served on the Core 150 team and on numerous committees and councils.
Alumni Tim Cheek ’81 and Sue (Hinkle) Cheek ’80 say Dixon was deeply respected for his economics expertise and his engaging and approachable teaching style in which he expressed genuine interest in students and helped guide many toward successful and rewarding business careers. For these reasons, they have established the Harry Dixon Endowed Professorship in Economics.
Dixon retired from Whitworth in 1984 and passed away in 2011.
“These endowed professorships will help to ensure that finance and economics remain strong areas of focus in the School of Business for years to come,” says Tim Wilkinson, dean of the School of Business. “By providing long-term support for academic excellence, these professorships will contribute to fostering a world-class learning environment for students, further enhancing the school's reputation. The students, staff and faculty greatly appreciate the amazing generosity of Ken Roberts and Tim and Sue Cheek. Their commitment to advancing education and empowering future leaders in the fields of finance and economics is truly commendable, and their support will have a lasting impact on generations of students.”
Endowed professorships play a crucial role in higher education by offering significant resources that support faculty in their research, teaching and professional development. They also attract distinguished scholars who can advance an institution's academic reputation and strengthen its ability to recruit top talent.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university has an enrollment of about 2,500 students and offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, associate director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu
