Alonzo L. McDonald, MBA '56, has endowed a visiting professorship in evangelical theological studies at the Divinity School.

Mark A. Noll, professor of history and Christian thought at Wheaton College in Illinois, has been appointed the first Alonzo L. McDonald Family Professor of Evangelical Theological Studies. He will

inaugurate the new professorship on Friday, Feb. 13, with a public lecture on "Evangelicalism at Its Best" at 4:30 p.m. at the Divinity School in the Sperry Room, Andover Hall, at 45 Francis Ave. The lecture will begin a two-day colloquium on "Understanding

Evangelicalism" (see Calendar listings for details).

"The colloquium is an opportunity to hear from a very

interesting group of scholars about some of the things that are most

important to most evangelicals in most places in the world," said Noll. "I have respected from afar many scholars at Harvard

University and the Divinity School, and it is a pleasure to be

associated with them this semester," he added.

Al McDonald is chairman and CEO of Avenir Group Inc., a firm of development bankers and international investors based in Troy,

Mich. He was deputy chief of staff to President Jimmy Carter and also served as managing director (CEO) of McKinsey and Co. Inc. After leaving government, he was president and vice-chairman of Bendix Corp until 1983, when he formed Avenir.

"My hope is that this gift will further distinguish the Divinity

School and attract to it individuals of high standing in the

scholarly world and in evangelical circles," he said. "I hope it will

help students as they prepare for service in theological and social

arenas and expand their thinking about one of the major traditions of

Christianity."

"We are delighted to have received this important gift to establish a professorship in evangelical theological studies," said Ronald F. Thiemann, Dean of the Divinity School. "It marks a significant step in strengthening the theological resources of Harvard Divinity School, and I am grateful to Al McDonald for his vision and generosity."