A significant donation from the Sarofim Foundation has resulted in the naming of the Sarofim Pavilion at Princeton University. The new facility will serve as an academic base for faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE).
“We are deeply grateful to the Sarofim Foundation for this extraordinary Venture Forward gift,” said President Christopher L. Eisgruber ’83. “Their generosity has helped us build state-of-the-art facilities that will spark creative inquiry, enhance research in CBE, and enable collaboration across engineering and the sciences.”
The 10,000-square-foot pavilion is connected to a new laboratory building for CBE and acts as the northern entrance to Princeton’s Prospect Avenue neighborhood dedicated to engineering and environmental studies. This addition addresses the university’s need for modern facilities due to increased activity in engineering research and a growing population of faculty, professionals, and students. Previously, CBE was housed in the Engineering Quadrangle, which opened in 1962.
Andrew Houck ’00, dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, commented on its significance: “The Sarofim Pavilion provides a beautiful entrance into both our new neighborhood and into a new era for the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The pavilion and the new CBE and bioengineering laboratories advance our mission to develop the next generation of engineering scholars and to produce research that benefits society and contributes to the nation’s technological leadership.”
The Sarofim Foundation was founded by Fayez Sarofim, who had a notable record of supporting organizations primarily in Houston, Texas. He established Fayez Sarofim & Co., which became one of the Southwest’s largest investment advisory firms.
Christopher Binyon Sarofim ’86 serves as chairman of both organizations. He stated: “My father’s philosophy was to ‘bet on people first,’ and we are honored to make, as President Eisgruber says, an ‘audacious bet’ through this gift on the extraordinary faculty, students and researchers whose discoveries will make a difference beyond Princeton.”
Research conducted by CBE faculty plays an important role in areas such as energy technology development, drug discovery, and material science innovation. The department is led by Christos Maravelias.
Faculty members have contributed advances leading to start-up companies focusing on lithium-ion battery recycling, sustainable building materials, and precision drug delivery systems. Among them are three members of the National Academy of Engineering; one member each from both the National Academy of Sciences and MacArthur Fellowship; plus recipients recognized by several other distinguished organizations.
“This gift is an investment in Princeton’s excellence in liberal arts education and in building the future of engineering research,” said Sarofim. “We look forward to seeing research and discovery continue to flourish — within the Sarofim Pavilion and across the University.”
The donation was part of Princeton’s Venture Forward campaign aimed at increasing alumni engagement while raising funds for key strategic goals. The campaign ended June 30, 2025.
