Jensen Lands in New Science Chair

Daniel Jensen will be officially installed as the James R. and Eleanor S. Allder professor of science and technology in a formal, public ceremony Friday, Nov. 8, at 10:30 a.m. in Murchison Gym. Jensen has directed Westmont’s burgeoning engineering program since it began in fall 2021. 

Jensen will speak at a panel discussion, “Considering Technology, Science and Spirituality from Different Perspectives Including Engineering Design, Neurological Science and Cosmology,” with Robert Haring-Kaye, Westmont professor of physics, and Michael Hendricks, director of Life Model Consulting, inventor and former software developer, at 3:30 p.m. in the Global Leadership Center. The talk will provide insight into how different areas of science and technology relate to spirituality.

Jensen will examine ways to use exceptional aspects of the created universe to enhance the engineering design process. Haring-Kaye will describe how the universe appears to work according to a set of cosmological constraints that are miraculously fine-tuned. Hendricks will illuminate how current understanding of aspects of neurological science are being incorporated into ministry strategies.

Jensen was a senior fellow at the International Design Center at Singapore University of Technology and Design and MIT. He spent 21 years teaching engineering mechanics at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He earned a doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Eleanor Allder and her late husband, James, have been longtime supporters of Westmont with eight family members (children, grandchildren and sons-in-law) attending the college. Jim deeply valued the intersection of faith and science and felt strongly about educating and equipping young Christians who are pursuing careers in science and technology. The endowed chair strengthens biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics or physics at Westmont.