OU President makes new $1 million personal philanthropic commitment to university

President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz has made a new $1 million philanthropic commitment to Oakland University, further strengthening her extraordinary personal investment in the university’s mission, students, faculty and future.

The latest commitment will establish two new opportunity funds earmarked for research and the arts. The funds are designed to provide flexible, current-use implementation in areas of strategic importance and emerging opportunities that support Oakland University’s Strategic Vision 2030.

Of the total, $750,000 will be designated to support excellence in all aspects of research and to establish OU as a nationally recognized public research university in the coming years. This fund will ignite research and innovation opportunities that help faculty sustain momentum, pursue external funding, and accelerate their scholarly and creative impact.

An additional $250,000 will be designated for the arts. This support will provide the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance with flexible resources to address areas of greatest need and opportunity. The fund will support initiatives that enhance student experiences, strengthen academic and creative programs, and advance excellence across the spectrum of music, theatre, art, film and dance.

This latest commitment from President Pescovitz will bring her cumulative giving and commitments to nearly $4.5 million in philanthropic support of Oakland University during her time as president. She has already created six endowments supporting faculty excellence, biomedical ethics, global student experiences, Honors College scholarships, free speech, and the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Recently, she also initiated a national search for a new “Spirit of Place” artwork project to be installed on campus.

“Through her latest generous commitment, President Pescovitz continues to model the philanthropic leadership she has encouraged throughout the Oakland University community,” shared Vice President for Advancement Mike Westfall. “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.”