Margaret Pack

As an aviation machinist's mate during World War II, Margaret Pack '50 helped keep U.S. Naval planes humming. Now, she is helping to fine-tune a different kid of instrument: the voices of Rice's most talented opera singers.

Pack's love for opera began at an early age when she first heard the Metropolitan Opera playing on her family's radio. Her passion only deepened throughout her military career, which extended into the Army Reserve and her successful career with Humble Oil (now ExxonMobil). Eventually, she struck a chord with Rice's Shepherd School of Music. With a portion of her retirement plan assets and other current-use gifts, she formed the Margaret C. Pack language institute for Singers, which will allow students to travel to Italy for intensive language study this summer and in the years to come.