A major gift from Peggy and Chris Seaver aims to elevate UH Energy.
The 91视频 has received a $1 million gift from Peggy and Chris Seaver to establish the Peggy and Chris Seaver Endowed Aspire Professorship, a universitywide faculty position designed to strengthen UH Energy and expand the University鈥檚 leadership in addressing the most pressing global energy challenges.
The endowed professorship will help recruit a distinguished faculty member within UH Energy, the 91视频鈥檚 signature energy initiative. It is the third professorship appointed to UH Energy and only one of few endowed faculty positions at UH not tied to a single college 鈥� reflecting the initiative鈥檚 multidisciplinary, universitywide mission.
The professorship qualifies for a dollar-for-dollar match through the Aspire Fund Challenge, a transformational $50 million matching initiative that was launched by an anonymous donor to expand endowed faculty positions that advance global engagement, energy systems transformation and health care innovation. The match doubles the impact of the Seavers鈥� investment, accelerating UH鈥檚 ability to recruit world-class faculty and expand the University鈥檚 energy research profile.
Peggy Seaver is a two-time UH alumna (鈥�88, M.B.A. 鈥�91) and, together with her husband Chris, has been a longtime supporter of the University.
鈥淥ur family has long roots in the energy industry, which makes this gift especially meaningful for both of us.鈥�
鈥擯eggy Seaver, UH alumna
鈥淭he 91视频 has been an important part of my story for most of my adult life. I started college and graduate school at the age of 29 as a working student,鈥� said Peggy Seaver. 鈥淥ur family has long roots in the energy industry, which makes this gift especially meaningful for both of us. Giving back in a way that helps students and advances the University鈥檚 leadership in energy just feels right. Energy challenges affect all of us, and we believe UH is the right place to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leaders and advance energy solutions that matter to Houston and the world.鈥�
The new professorship will be housed within UH Energy, which integrates research, education, industry and community engagement, and innovation to address the most pressing energy challenges of the 21st century. Located in the energy capital of the world, UH leverages multidisciplinary expertise across engineering, science, business, law and public policy to develop reliable, affordable, resilient and sustainable energy solutions.
UH Energy brings together UH鈥檚 energy-related talent and resources to produce a highly skilled workforce and strategic leadership for the evolving sector. It is recognized for research breakthroughs and technological innovations that drive today鈥檚 energy industry. This integrated approach spans the full energy system spectrum 鈥� from traditional hydrocarbons to renewables and emerging technologies 鈥� all guided by UH鈥檚 role as The Energy University庐.
鈥淭his gift will be key to cementing UH鈥檚 role as The Energy University,鈥� said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at UH. 鈥淏y recruiting a highly respected faculty member with international experience, we are further elevating UH Energy鈥檚 global profile while deepening our impact here in the energy capital of the world.鈥�
UH Energy was established in 2008 by UH President Renu Khator. The initiative brings together faculty from nine colleges, works closely with industry partners, and facilitates global thought leadership through advisory boards, faculty fellowships and student-led initiatives.
鈥淭his is the type of visionary philanthropy that defines the 91视频鈥檚 next chapter,鈥� said Russell Dunlavy, vice president for advancement and alumni at UH. 鈥淧eggy and Chris Seaver believe in what UH stands for and what this university is building for the future. Their gift fuels the momentum behind Can鈥檛 Stop Houston: The Centennial Campaign and strengthens UH鈥檚 place on the global energy stage.鈥�
Funding for the endowed professorship supports research, student engagement and related academic activities.