When Victor and Margaret (Peggy) Pavel designated the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation as the primary beneficiary of their estate, they wanted to keep their identity private and preferred no personal publicity for what would turn out to be the largest estate gift to UH in UH history. Fortunately, they gave the university permission to posthumously acknowledge them, and let Hawaiʻi know who provided the transformative $10 million estate gift that will support UH programs and students statewide. In addition to who, the Pavel’s more importantly wanted to share with Hawaiʻi “why.” The Pavel’s believed deeply in the value of science education and nature preservation. They felt that UH, with its internationally recognized expertise in these areas, was an excellent investment.
- UH Foundation article: “Victor and Peggy Pavel: A Love Story”
The Board of Regents approved the naming of two new funds and the Pavel’s love for science and nature will live on in perpetuity through the professors, researchers and students who benefit from their vision and philanthropy.
New Named Funds
- The Victor and Peggy Brandstrom Pavel Endowed Chair in Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology has been established with a $2,080,000 gift. In naming David Karl, professor of oceanography and director of the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education, as the first recipient of this chair, SOEST Dean Brian Taylor noted “David’s stellar 35-year career at UH has been recognized by many awards, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences. This gift provides the means to perpetuate that excellence through his mentoring of the next generation of scholars.”
- The Victor and Peggy Brandstrom Pavel Director’s Chair in Astronomy at the Institute for Astronomy has been established with a $2,080,000 gift. These funds will give the director flexibility to enhance IfA’s programs, and advance the education and research missions of the institute. Funds will be used to recruit and retain talented faculty, support quality research and provide seed research funding, particularly among promising junior faculty.
“The Pavels were deeply committed to learning about, and preserving our oceans, earth and sky. It was our privilege to work with Victor over the last decade to ensure that their assets help build and sustain the University of Hawaiʻi’s excellence in these areas,” said UH Foundation president and CEO Donna Vuchinich.
Read the UH Foundation news release for more on the Pavel’s gift.
