Since 1974, Washington and Lee University has placed a special emphasis on professional ethics through its program in Society and the Professions. In 1997, the James L. and John S. Knight Foundation recognized that emphasis by awarding the university an endowment to create a Knight Chair in journalism ethics within the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications. All journalism majors are required to take at least one course in journalism ethics. As part of the Knight Chair's service to the profession, twice a year about a dozen working journalists are invited to the W&L campus to discuss ethics with the undergraduates in the department's capstone ethics seminar. Professionals who are interested in participating in one of these "Ethics Institutes" should contact Dr. Ed Wasserman, holder of the Knight Chair.