Longtime Charlottesville residents Dave Matthews and his family have decided to give back to the community in memory of the music artist's late father and his contributions to the University.
The family of the late John W. Matthews, a former postdoctoral researcher at the University and popular rock performer Dave Matthews' father, donated $500,000 to the School of Engineering and Applied Science in memory of his work and accomplishments.
John W. Matthews began his work at the University in 1964, doing postdoctoral research under Prof. Doris Wilsdorf.
"We are very fond of U.Va., and were glad to make a contribution to the University," said Valarie Matthews, wife of the late Matthews, who died of cancer in 1977.
According to William Jesser, chair of the Material Sciences Department, the Matthews' donation will be used in conjunction with a $15 million donation from Gregory Olsen for a new building that will connect the existing Material Science and Chemical Engineering buildings.
Specifically, the Matthews' gift was given to the Material Sciences Department to fund the building of a 1000-foot laboratory to be located in the new Wilsdorf Hall.
The new laboratory will be used for research in the field of epitaxy, the process of developing materials to enhance electrical and optical performance, Jesser said.
John W. Matthews began his work at the University in 1964, doing postdoctoral research under Engineering Prof. Doris Wilsdorf. Matthews was a pioneer in the research of epitaxy at the University, Jesser said.
Wilsdorf said she first taught John W. Matthews at the University of Witwatersand in Johannesburg, Africa.
After Wilsdorf began teaching at the University, Matthews came to work in Virginia with IBM and his former professor. Matthews was a great asset in experimental epitaxy research, Wilsdorf said.
"I was delighted with the gift from two points of view, one, to honor a dear friend and two to help establish a laboratory in Wilsdorf Hall," Jesser said.
"We wanted to see his work continued, and we will happily be watching the development of the new building," Valarie Matthews said.
The department hopes to have the new building completed in three to four years, Jesser said.
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