Leonard J. Arrington was one of the most innovative and respected scholars of Mormon history. A former professor of economic history at Utah State University, he co-founded the Western Historical Quarterly and later became the first professional historian for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dr. Arrington deeply influenced how we understand the heritage and history of the LDS Church and its culture, helping bring the subject into mainstream conversation. The Arrington chair was established in 2006. Designed to reflect Dr. Arrington’s excellence in scholarship, the chair remains an integral part of Utah State’s groundbreaking Religious Studies program.