A $2 million gift will establish an endowed chair in honor of the late Barbara Cox Anthony at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Center on Aging.

Cox was a longtime Honolulu resident, philanthropist and former director of Cox Enterprises.

The gift, presented by her daughter, Blair Parry-Okeden, will establish the Barbara Cox Anthony Chair in Aging for a recognized scholar who will solidify existing courses and develop new curricula in an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to issues associated with aging. The chair will work with an advisory steering committee made up of administrators, deans and directors who have programmatic, research and instructional curriculum experience focused on the elderly.

"The timing of the gift is fortuitous as various independent efforts at UH-Manoa have been coming together to address what will be significant challenges for the people of Hawai'i as our population continues to age faster than nearly every other state," said Dr. Gary Ostrander, vice chancellor for research and graduate education.

Added University of Hawai'i-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw: "This gift, which will truly benefit the people of Hawai'i in the area of aging, is a wonderful memorial to an exceptional woman philanthropist. It will allow the university to attract and retain an outstanding scholar and to expand the impact of our Center on Aging in perpetuity."