Thanks to a recent donation, another molecular biologist will be joining the University of Kansas.

Irving S. Johnson, a 1953 University graduate, donated more than $500,000 to fund a professorship in molecular biology.

The Hall Family Foundation of Kansas City, Mo., matched the gift, bringing the total to $1 million.

Kathy Suprenant, chairwoman of molecular biology, said the professorship would act as a catalyst to bring prestigious faculty and students to the University.

A search will be organized once additional funding from the state is secured. Rob Weaver, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, said that the college would ask the Kansas Partnership for Faculty of Distinction Program to provide further funds.

The program encourages gifts by private donors to help recruit and retain outstanding faculty.

Suprenant said she wasn’t sure who they would recruit, but it would be a first-rate scientist with an excellent career in molecular biology.