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Honoring a Legacy of Global Learning

The Lyman Chaffee Endowment honors the life and legacy of Professor Emeritus Lyman Chaffee, whose career at ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ú was defined by his dedication to students, international education, and the study of global and comparative politics.

Professor Emeritus Lyman Chaffee working with CSUDH Political Science students.

In July 2018, CSUDH received a $1.725 million legacy gift from Professor Chaffee. The gift established the L.G. Chaffee Endowed Chair of Global and Comparative Politics, the first endowed chair position in the university's history.

Through the endowment, Professor Chaffee's commitment to international education and learning beyond the classroom continues to support educational opportunities for Political Science students and faculty.

About Professor Lyman Chaffee

Professor Chaffee served as a member of the CSUDH Department of Political Science for more than 30 years. He also served as department chair for several years and received the university's Outstanding Professor Award in recognition of his commitment to students.

His academic expertise was in international politics, with particular emphasis on South America, Spain, and Portugal. His interest in learning about other countries and cultures led him to travel extensively throughout his life, visiting more than 70 countries and regularly sharing those experiences with his students.

Professor Chaffee also served as director of CSUDH International Programs and as resident director of the CSU International Programs study-abroad program in Spain. His own early experience studying in Spain helped shape his belief that international travel and study could deepen students' understanding of politics, societies, and cultures.

Professor Chaffee believed that student travel broadened an individual's understanding of the world and provided direct insight into the political and cultural challenges faced by different countries.

The Endowment in Action

The Lyman Chaffee Endowment supports educational experiences that connect the study of political science with international affairs, research, public institutions, and professional development.

Supported activities have included:

• Domestic and international field trips
• Guest lectures and speaker series
• Student and faculty conference participation
• Study-abroad support
• Collaborative student-faculty research
• Engagement with diplomats, public officials, and political institutions

Selected Sponsored Activities

International and Domestic Field Experiences

• Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles — April 2026
  Political Science students visited the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles to learn about diplomacy, consular services, international relations, and diplomatic engagement through discussions with consular officials.
• Honorary Consulate General of Cambodia — October 2025
  Students observed a diplomatic mission in operation and learned about Cambodia, the role of consulates in international affairs, and the relationship between the consulate and the Cambodian community in Los Angeles County.
• Stockholm, Sweden — June 2025
  Students met with Swedish career diplomats to discuss diplomacy, international cooperation, and contemporary foreign policy.
• Santiago, Chile — January 2024
  Participants conducted field research at leading political research institutions, including FLACSO, CIEPLAN, CEP, and CEDM, while exploring Chile's political history and democratic development.
• Managua, Nicaragua — June 2023
  Students examined authoritarianism, democracy, and political development through field-based learning.

Professional Conferences

The endowment has supported participation in annual meetings of the Western Political Science Association, including conferences held in:

• San Francisco, California — 2023
• Vancouver, British Columbia — 2024
• Seattle, Washington — 2025

Chaffee Endowment Speaker Series

The endowment has brought scholars to CSUDH to speak with students and faculty about important issues in comparative politics, international relations, and law. Topics have included:

• Patron-client relations and the politicization of corruption in Brazil
• The relationship between Confucianism and democracy
• Failed states in Indonesia and the Philippines
• The use of international precedent by United States jurists

Student-Faculty Research

The endowment has supported research presented at the Western Political Science Association, including papers co-authored with CSUDH students. Research topics have included:

• Protestantism and political change in Latin America
• Comparative United States and Chinese investment in Latin America
• Party loyalty and political change in Chile

Continuing Professor Chaffee's Vision

Professor Chaffee believed that students learn politics most deeply when they encounter institutions, cultures, and public issues firsthand. The Lyman Chaffee Endowment continues that vision through international travel, field research, public lectures, conference participation, collaborative research, and support for study abroad.

These opportunities extend political science education beyond the classroom and help students develop the knowledge, confidence, and global perspective needed to participate meaningfully in public life.