The Pigott Family Endowment for the Arts brings internationally renowned artists to campus and provides educational and artistic experiences for students and faculty. Students engage directly with the visiting artists and participate in artistic activities and events. The general public is invited to attend art, music, and theatre events supported by the endowment.
Since the fall of 2003, Seattle University has partnered with the Pacific Northwest Ballet to provide a high-quality university education to the company dancers. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the partnership provides PNB company dancers as well as PNB’s Professional Division students a unique opportunity to begin and/or complete their college degrees while they are actively engaging their careers in dance.
The Reverend Louis Gaffney, S.J. Chair in the College of Arts and Sciences, which is made possible by the Jesuit community at Seattle University, promotes issues germane to the Jesuit mission and identity of the faith that does justice and supports the Jesuit ideal of teaching.
The Theiline Pigott McCone Chair in Humanities is dedicated to promoting scholarly life among faculty. The President of Seattle University bestows this award to a member of the College of Arts and Sciences faculty who is an outstanding teacher and scholar in one of the basic humanities disciplines.
The College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University's largest college, provides funding for the William F. LeRoux, S.J. Endowed Chair in Arts and Sciences. The endowed chair is awarded to a Jesuit academic in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. The appointment is for one academic quarter (10 weeks in Fall, Winter, or Spring). The chair is required to teach one course and conduct a public lecture, with remaining time available to advance his scholarship and engage with the Seattle University community.
The Peter L. Lee Endowed Lectureship in East Asian Culture and Civilization brings to campus prominent experts to explore the impact of East Asian thought and tradition on contemporary issues. The lectureship is housed in the College of Arts and Sciences and managed by the director of the Asian Studies Program. Students engage directly with the visiting scholars on pressing issues related to East Asian studies, modern languages, international business, comparative religion, and many other area. The general public is invited to attend events supported by the endowment.
Sociology students have more opportunities to participate in faculty research projects thanks to a new endowment created by alumnus Richard F. Beers II, class of 2007.