Marvel Davis Donates $1.2 Million to AU Music Program

An abiding love of music led Marvel Davis ’55 to donate $1.2 million to Aurora University’s music program.

The generous gift from her estate will fund a new endowed professorship while also improving and expanding AU’s music program.

To honor Davis’ commitment to AU and to recognize her talent as a vocalist and pianist, AU has established the Marvel Davis Distinguished Professorship in Music. The first holder of this new post will be Associate Professor Cristian Pastorello, who teaches piano and music theory at AU.

In addition, a portion of the gift will be invested as an endowment to benefit AU’s music department, creating a legacy that reflects Davis’ desire to improve and expand the music program. Earnings from this new resource will support a wide range of music initiatives, including establishing a music education major, the development of a new wind ensemble, and occasional student concert tours.

A lifelong resident of Big Rock, Illinois, Davis passed away in July 2020. She was 93.

“All who knew Marvel understood her to be larger than life,” said AU President Rebecca Sherrick. “Her passion for conservation, rural America, historic preservation, and music made her an engaging conversationalist. Her laugh was contagious and her sense of humor just slightly wicked.

“I remember once sitting in her living room and talking together about something serious,” Sherrick said. “Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a stuffed animal on the floor twitching. I jumped and Marvel laughed. She had set a timer and knew that at any moment a surprise was coming. Marvel lived life with joy and panache. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be her friend.”

Several years ago, Davis donated her extensive sheet music collection to AU. Some of the most striking sheet music is framed and hanging in the recently renovated Roger and Marilyn Parolini Music Center.

Davis received a bachelor’s degree in Education with Gold Leaf honors from Aurora College, later renamed Aurora University, and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University. She had a 23-year teaching career and played piano and organ for churches and other organizations for more than 40 years.