Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has announced a $1.5 million commitment from trustee Jack Bovender and his wife to endow a professorship at the Duke Divinity School.

Made as part of the $3.25 billion Duke Forward campaign, the gift will fund the Jack and Barbara Bovender Professor of Anglican Episcopal Studies and Ministry, to be held by the director of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies. The endowed professorship, which will be held by the Rev. Dr. David Marshall, is designed to provide financial stability and a foundation for future growth for AEHS.

Bovender earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in hospital administration from Duke and worked in the healthcare industry for forty years before retiring in 2009 as chair and CEO of Hospital Corporation of America. He is, in addition, a member of Duke Forward’s steering committee and has been a member of the university’s board of trustees since 2007.

"Jack and Barbara Bovender have been devoted and thoughtful leaders for Duke,” said the university's president, Richard H. Brodhead. "We are grateful for this generous gift to sustain the work of the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies at Duke Divinity School, whose work of preparing students for service and ministry is a compelling example of Duke's commitment to knowledge in service to society."