The chair at the university's Robert Strauss Center for International Security and Law will be funded by a $1 million gift from Jon and Rebecca Brumley.

University officials said the Jon Brumley Chair in Global Affairs will explore a fundamental dilemma: Technology produces enormous benefits, but it also creates new dangers. For example, nuclear technology can generate energy or detonate bombs and gene-splitting can produce life-saving drugs or lethal biological weapons.

The gift will also support activities examining future challenges created by advances in fields ranging from genetics to nanotechnology.

Jon Brumley earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the university in 1961. He is now chairman of the Encore Acquisition Co. Rebecca Brumley earned a master's degree in education at the school and is currently chairwoman of the Red Oak Foundation in Fort Worth, Texas.