She turned away from her perusal of Foster’s family photographs. He’d sacrificed one whole bookshelf to the captured memories.
> Benita grinned at Ms. Helen. “‘The Doctor Helen Gaston Endowed Chemistry Chair.’ This is a tremendous honor, not just for my great-aunt but for our entire family.”
Ms. Helen squeezed Benita’s left hand where it lay on the table beside her. Her voice swelled with laughter. “If it’s such an honor for the family, why are you the only one here?”
“Everyone else is afraid of you.” Benita slid the older lady a look. “You told us not to come. I’m the only one who didn’t listen.”
Foster chuckled. “We’re glad you could make it, Benita.” He turned to Ms. Helen. “We haven’t made a formal announcement to the faculty about the chair yet. We want you to be present for the announcement and involved in selecting the professor for the position.”
The vice president’s consideration for her great-aunt warmed Benita. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Doctor Gooden. Thank you.”
Ms. Helen spoke over Benita, waving a dismissive hand. “That’s not necessary, Foster. You and the science division chair can select the professor.”
Foster shook his head. “We want your input, Doctor Gaston. So does the donor.”
“Well, that’s just ridiculous.” Ms. Helen’s gaze moved from Foster to Benita, then back. “It’s kind of her to offer the endowment. And I’m honored that she’s named it after me. But you and the science division chair know your faculty. You can choose someone without my input.”
Benita only half heard her great-aunt’s objections. “What can you tell us about this donor? She sounds very interesting.”
“Doctor Lana Penn was one of Doctor Gaston’s students.” Foster nodded toward Ms. Helen. “She’s now founder, president, and chief chemical engineer of Penn Research Laboratories, an international pharmaceutical research company. She credits Doctor Gaston with her success.”
Benita gaped at her great-aunt. “I’ve heard of Penn Research Laboratories.”
Ms. Helen shrugged. “You and at least three and a half billion other people, half the population of the world.”
Benita blew an impatient breath. “But you were her chemistry professor. She said you’re the reason for her success.”
“Baloney.” Ms. Helen sucked her teeth. “She’s the reason for her success. I didn’t earn her doctorate; she did. I didn’t found Penn Research Laboratories; she did.”
Foster raised his hands. “We can argue to what extent you affected her success, but the fact is she credits you for it.” He let his hands fall to the table. “Because of that, she’s offered the university a lot of money, including the endowed chemistry chair.”
“I’ve toured the campus recently. The university can use her generosity.” Ms. Helen’s tone was dry.
The TFU vice president shifted on his seat. “Yes, well, many colleges and universities are going through difficult financial times. Enrollment is down around the country, especially here in the Midwest.”
Benita turned to her great-aunt. “If all she’s asking in exchange is that you identify the professor for the endowed chair, you should do it. It’s a small request.”
“Actually, that’s not all she’s asking.” Foster folded his hands. “She wants to host a banquet in your honor in recognition of the endowment.”
Ms. Helen began shaking her head even before Foster finished speaking. “No fuss, Foster.”
“But Doctor Gaston—”
“I said no fuss.” Ms. Helen shrugged her purse onto her shoulder and stood.
Benita tugged her great-aunt’s arm to pull her back to her seat. “Aunt Helen, I didn’t travel the twenty-four hundred miles from L.A. to Trinity Falls just to sit in Foster’s office with you. No offense, Foster.”
“None taken.” Foster raised both hands again.
Ms. Helen crossed her arms. “I told you not to come.”
“And I told you having an endowed chair named after you is a big deal.” Benita grabbed hold of her patience.
“You’re the one who’s making it a big deal, not me.” Ms. Helen was the embodiment of obstinacy.
Benita wasn’t fazed. “Did it ever occur to you that this banquet isn’t just about you? It’s about the university and Doctor Penn as well. She wants to host an event in your honor. Give her a break and let her do it.”
Ms. Helen opened her mouth to argue. Benita arched a challenging brow.