CSUSB visiting Egyptologist program receives major gift from Adina Lee Savin

The visiting scholar in Egyptology program at Cal State San Bernardino has a new name, thanks to a generous gift from philanthropist Adina Lee Savin.

The university and its Department of History has announced the renaming of the transformative academic initiative: The Adina Lee Savin and W. Benson Harer Visiting Scholar in Egyptology. Made possible through the generous funding of Savin and Harer, this endowed visiting professorship supports the position for two years and ensures that CSUSB continues to serve as a vibrant center for the study of Ancient Egypt in the Inland Empire.

This program enables an esteemed Egyptologist to join the CSUSB community for one semester each year, bringing expertise in Ancient Egyptian art, history, religion, society or archaeology from the Predynastic through the Roman Periods.

During their residency, the visiting scholar teaches an upper-division course in the Department of History and/or the Departments of Art and Desgin or Anthropology, offering students the rare opportunity to learn directly from a leading specialist in the field.

Courses often incorporate hands-on engagement with the more than 500 Ancient Egyptian artifacts housed at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA), creating powerful, object-based learning experiences that distinguish CSUSB’s program.

Beyond the classroom, the visiting scholar enriches the broader campus and regional community. Each scholar delivers a keynote lecture at RAFFMA as part of an annual Egyptological event, sharing cutting-edge research with students, faculty, and members of the Inland Empire. Community members are even invited to enroll for a semester to participate in the scholar’s course, extending the reach of this remarkable opportunity well beyond traditional university boundaries.

Axelle Brémont is the spring 2026 visiting scholar, and at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, will present her public lecture, “Did a Watched Pot Ever Boil? Detail Analysis & Possible Uses of Decorated Pots in the Predynastic Period,” at RAFFMA. The lecture is free.

“We are truly thrilled and deeply grateful for the generosity of Ms. Savin and Dr. Harer,” said Christina Hassija, dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. “Their gift, supporting a scholar-in-residence in Egyptology, will have a transformative impact on our campus. By bringing a distinguished national or international scholar to campus each semester, this program will energize our academic community, enrich our curriculum, and provide our students with access to leading voices in the field and the extraordinary history and culture of ancient Egypt.”

The renamed position continues and expands the legacy of the previous W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence Program and complements the work of the Benson and Pamela Harer Fellow in Egyptology, currently held by Kate Liszka. Together, these initiatives have helped CSUSB build a dynamic Egyptology curriculum, including both a certificate and an advanced certificate in Egyptology – open to students of any major, as well as community learners.

The impact of this program is evident in the eight distinguished scholars who have held the position. Each has brought innovative courses and compelling public lectures to campus, strengthening CSUSB’s reputation as a hub for Egyptological scholarship.