Local News in Brief : Irvine : UCI’s Laser Institute Gets $1-Million Gift
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UC Irvine’s Beckman Laser Institute and Medical Clinic has received a $1-million pledge from Nora and Charles Hester of Corona del Mar, the university announced Friday.
The money will go into the institute’s endowment fund, which supports research.
Charles Hester, founder and president of Hester Development Co. of Newport Beach, has been on the board of the institute since it was formed in 1982. He and his wife are also founding members of the UCI Chancellor’s Club, a support organization for the university.
Dr. Michael Berns, professor of surgery and director of the institute, praised the donation, saying: “As part of the endowment fund, the Hesters’ generous gift will provide us the flexibility to act quickly on specific needs, such as purchasing an important piece of equipment or bringing in a bright scientist we might not otherwise have had funding for.”
UCI Chancellor Jack Peltason similarly praised the couple’s philanthropy. “The Hesters are deeply committed to causes that benefit mankind,” Peltason said.
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