Hastings College has received gifts totaling nearly $600,000 from an anonymous donor, including $500,000 to endow a Distinguished Professorship in Music in honor of Dr. Byron Jensen, professor of music and conductor/artistic director of the Hastings Symphony Orchestra.

"The donor approached the College asking for an opportunity to honor Dr. Jensen, a fact that speaks volumes about the quality of our music program and Dr. Jensen’s contributions to the campus and community," said Dr. Phillip Dudley, college president. "Byron will be the first faculty member named to the professorship given in his honor."

In addition to establishing the first endowed faculty position in the Department of Music, the donor provided $24,900 for string instruments and $75,000 for improvements to Perkins Library. The donor has previously supported science equipment, student-faculty research, and library holdings.