The Pasadena-based California Institute of Technology has announced a $2 million pledge from Kent and Joyce Kresa to endow a chair in engineering and applied science.

The gift will be matched by an additional $1 million from the Gordon and Betty Moore Matching Program. The Moores have committed up to $300 million in matching funds to the school over ten years. Gordon Moore is an alumnus and trustee of Caltech, where Kent Kresa serves as chairman of the board.

The Joyce and Kent Kresa Professorship in Engineering and Applied Science will support and recognize a distinguished faculty member in engineering and applied science, with a preference for faculty in aeronautics and aerospace engineering — fields that Kresa helped shape, most notably during his twenty-eight years with Northrop Grumman, including thirteen years as the company's chairman and CEO.

"Our very good friends the Kresas have shared their time, vision, and resources with Caltech for many years," said Caltech president Jean-Lou Chameau. "They know our approach — attract leading thinkers, give them the best resources we can, and create an atmosphere in which they can collaborate easily. Kent and Joyce's generous gift will support one great engineer after another and will lead to great discoveries and inventions."