Founder’s family makes historic $630K donation to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Writing Center

University of Hawaiʻi Foundation received a $630,000 estate gift to establish the first permanent endowment at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Writing Center, ensuring long-term support for student writing services.

It is the largest monetary gift in the history of the center and was directed by historian Lisa Olsen Tait in honor of her late aunt LaRene Despain, an English professor who in the 19702 co-founded the Writing Center

The endowment provides stable, ongoing funding to expand tutoring, outreach and support services — particularly for first-generation and international students. Writing centers are often among the most heavily used academic resources on campus, offering one-on-one guidance that helps students succeed throughout disciplines.

“This historic gift ensures the Writing Center will continue to be a vital resource, helping students from all backgrounds find their voices and strengthen their writing,” said University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Arts, Languages and Letters Dean Peter Arnade in a university release.

Despain joined University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1972 while completing her PhD at the University of Connecticut.

She became an early leader in the emerging field of composition studies, advocating for a collaborative, student-centered approach to writing and emphasizing drafting, peer feedback and mentorship instead of rigid instruction.

“The ’70s and ’80s were a formative time in English studies, and LaRene was on the cutting edge of that movement,” said Tait in the release. “Her work shaped how writing was taught, including her textbook ‘Writing: A Workshop Approach,’ which I used in my own teaching.”

Despain was known beyond the classroom for her commitment to students and colleagues, particularly through her work at the Writing Center.

“The Writing Center became a really important place for LaRene,” Tait said. “She valued the opportunity to work one-on-one with students and to mentor both writers and tutors.”

Leaders say the new endowment will allow the Writing Center to grow its reach and deepen its impact.

“This gift gives us the ability to build partnerships, expand outreach and create resources we’ve long envisioned,” said assistant professor of English and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Writing Center Director Isaac Wang in the release. “It allows us to turn ideas into reality.”