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

