Ora Hirsch Pescovitz’s latest $1 million gift to the university brings her total philanthropic giving to almost $4.5 million.
Oakland University’s president Ora Hirsch Pescovitz has made a $1 million commitment to the university to support research and the arts. The funds will be divided between the two areas she has chosen and will support Oakland University’s Strategic Vision 2030 plan.
According to an article on Oakland University’s website, Vice President for Advancement Mike Westfall was quoted as saying, “Through her latest generous commitment, President Pescovitz continues to model the philanthropic leadership she has encouraged throughout the Oakland University community. Her personal generosity reflects a deep belief in OU’s people, its academic and creative strengths, and its capacity to expand impact through research, discovery, student opportunity and the arts.”
Thanks to Hirsh Pescovitz’s latest gift, two new funds will be established. One will be utilized for research in all fields to help establish the university as a nationally recognized public research university in the near future. The other fund will support the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
Of the $1 million, $750,000 has been earmarked for research. This fund will support faculty members as they pursue outside funding for their research projects, as well as spark new research opportunities and accelerate their ability to innovate.
The rest of the funding, $250,000, is for the arts. The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance will receive flexible funding that can be spent on whatever is deemed most necessary to strengthen programs, enhance student experiences, and advance excellence among arts specialties.
During her time as university president, Hirsh Pescovitz has gifted nearly $4.5 million to the university. Her previous gifts have created six endowments, including ones to support faculty excellence, biomedical ethics, global student experiences, Honors College scholarships, free speech, and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance.
For more information about Oakland University, visit the school’s website.