Fred Bender was hired in 1984, not only to chair the Department, but also to plan its future course and to develop faculty, curriculum, and a major and a minor program. His areas of teaching and scholarship include Environmental Philosophy, Comparative Religions, and Chinese and Indian Philosophy. His work in the area of non-western history of philosophy has become an organic part of the Department's curriculum. Professor Bender was hired as a Full Professor in the Department. Professor Bender retired in May 2011 and received the honor of Professor Emeritus status at UCCS.