26 July 11 • 2019
jn
SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sense of Style
OU President Ora Pescovitz makes
Sunset Terrace a welcoming home.
D
r. Ora Pescovitz, who
became president of Oakland
University July 2017, also is
a pediatric endocrinologist holding
considerable administrative experience.
Those who get an invitation to her
home — professional associates as well
as family and friends — know she also
has a knack for interior designing.
Over the years and with career
appointments that placed her in dif-
ferent cities, Pescovitz has planned out
custom-made furniture and amassed a
vast collection of eclectic art to display.
“I’
m the decorator,” she says about
her room arrangements.
Heading up Oakland University
(OU) in Rochester, Pescovitz resides in
the university’
s Sunset Terrace, where
her own furniture and art collection
have been set out according to her sense
of aesthetics. Along the way, she studied
the history of the building, designed by
architect William Kapp for OU founder
Matilda Dodge Wilson and her second
husband, Alfred Wilson.
Working with wall colors chosen
by university staff as the residence
was upgraded mechanically, Pescovitz
decided to replace any OU furnishings
with her own sofas, chairs, tables and
art acquired from around the globe.
The paintings and three-dimensional
pieces reflect her personality, interests
and commitment to Judaism.
“I am delighted to be in this historic
home although I was concerned about
how it might get furnished because it’
s
a mid-century modern home that has
no straight walls,” says Pescovitz as she
recalls her first impressions.
“Every wall is circular, designed
in 1952 by the same architect who
designed Meadow Brook Hall. It has a
Frank Lloyd Wright style as well as this
unusual structure of circular walls.
“I was delighted to have a home with
so much rich history and legacy for the
university, but I was concerned about
what it would be like to make it com-
fortable and continue that important
history and legacy.”
At 12,500 square feet of space, the
home could accommodate, without
additions, all the furniture Pescovitz
had in Indianapolis, where she was
JOHN TAGGART OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
TOP: This 96-inch granite table was custom-made for the Pescovitz’
s home in
Indianapolis, but fits perfectly here. ABOVE: An intriguing sculpture reveals
more of Pescovitz’
s personal taste in art.
at home/on the cover
arts&life