A significant donation of $18 million by retired Brandeis University chemistry professor Peter Jordan and his wife, Barbara Palmer, aims to enhance the university’s Chemistry Department. The gift, announced on Friday, not only commemorates Jordan’s family’s escape from Nazi Germany but also marks a pivotal moment in their multigenerational journey from persecution to academic success.
The donation will primarily support research in theoretical and physical chemistry, establishing professorships and graduate fellowships that are expected to shape the department’s future for years to come. Jordan reflected on the significance of this gift, stating, “My becoming a professor was somewhat of a full circle moment for my father. His sacrifices helped make it possible for me to pursue a career that he once aspired to.”
Jordan’s academic journey began when his parents fled Nazi Germany for California in the 1940s. His father, facing discrimination due to his Jewish heritage, struggled to find work in his field and eventually took a position in the defense industry. Nevertheless, he pursued his passion for invention on the side, designing one of the first reliable garbage disposals, which became a staple in American kitchens. This achievement provided the family with financial stability and enabled Jordan to access the education his father had longed for.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from the California Institute of Technology and a PhD from Yale University, Jordan joined Brandeis University, where he taught for nearly 50 years before retiring in 2011. His research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, contributed significantly to the understanding of complex biological systems at a molecular level. Despite his impressive research accomplishments, Jordan found immense satisfaction in teaching, particularly enjoying interactions with students who approached chemistry with genuine curiosity.
Palmer, who also dedicated a significant part of her career to Brandeis as associate dean and university registrar, shares Jordan’s commitment to the institution. Together, they have a deep understanding of Brandeis’s mission, which influenced their philanthropic efforts. In 2018, they established the Jordan-Dreyer Endowed Summer Undergraduate Research in Chemistry Fellowship Fund to provide undergraduates with hands-on research experience.
The recent $18 million gift represents an expansion of their previous commitment, supporting three key initiatives within the Chemistry Department. The first initiative will establish a senior professorship in theoretical chemistry, enhancing Brandeis’s ability to attract or retain top scholars in the field. The second will create a junior professorship in physical chemistry, aimed at supporting early-career researchers as they develop their research programs. Finally, the donation will fund three new graduate research fellowships, which will alleviate financial burdens for PhD students and allow them to concentrate on their studies.
This initiative arrives at a crucial time for chemistry departments across the United States, where securing federal research funding has become increasingly competitive. The gift not only strengthens Brandeis’s research profile but also aligns with the university’s commitment to scholarly excellence and social justice, values that resonate with Jordan’s family story.
Jordan’s donation is more than a financial contribution; it honors the sacrifices made by his parents and embodies a commitment to ensuring that future generations of chemists have the same opportunities he received. The establishment of these positions and fellowships reflects his understanding of the importance of nurturing talent and fostering academic success.
Brandeis University President Arthur Levine expressed gratitude for the transformative impact of the donation, stating, “Peter and Barbara’s extraordinary gift will have a transformative impact on chemistry research and education at Brandeis for generations to come.”
As the university prepares to implement the provisions of this significant gift, including the recruitment for professorships and the establishment of selection criteria for fellowships, the Chemistry Department is poised to gain substantial advantages in attracting both faculty and students. The endowed positions will enhance Brandeis’s appeal to top candidates, while the graduate fellowships will allow students to immerse themselves in ambitious research projects.
Through this generous donation, Jordan and Palmer are not just contributing to a department; they are perpetuating a legacy that began with the courage of Jordan’s parents. Their commitment to education and research serves as an inspiration, illustrating the enduring power of philanthropy to transform lives across generations. The full circle that Jordan described—his father’s aspirations fulfilled through his own career—now extends to countless future chemists who will benefit from this remarkable act of generosity.
