Virginia (Ginie) B. Braun a long-term Pepperdine benefactor passed away Saturday at age 93. Her death was caused by a brief illness.
Mrs. Braun was born in Detroit Michigan in 1917. She attended Briarcliff College in New York and Garland College in Boston. She became nationally recognized for her active volunteerism and involvement in civic cultural and educational enterprises. She was the founder and president of the Republican Women Federated and held leadership positions on the Republican Finance Committee.
Mrs. Braun and her husband Henry A. Braun of Pasadena contributed to Pepperdine through the Carl F. Braun Family Trust. In 2003 the Henry A. and Virginia B. Braun Center for Public Policy was dedicated in 2003 on the university’s Drescher Graduate Campus.
After Pepperdine established its Malibu campus in 1972 the Braun family also helped fund the university’s Thornton Administrative Center. The building opened in 1986 as part of the university’s Wave of Excellence campaign. The family also supported the arts and sciences at Pepperdine through other major gifts. They recently provided funds to create the Charles B. Runnels Sports and Recreation Village on campus.
Mrs. Braun joined the Pepperdine University Board in 1983. In 1985 she earned an honorary doctor of laws degree and was named to the university’s Board of Regents. She held leadership positions with several non-profit organizations including the Braille Institute Child Guidance Clinic Doheny Eye Clinic Los Angeles County Museum of Art Pasadena Guild of Children’s Hospital and the United Way.
Mrs. Braun is survived by four children – Barbera Michael Spike and Cindy; five grandchildren – Jennifer Heather Bro Kern and Kyle and seven great-grandchildren – Zane Durham Hayden Rainey Simms Barrett and Garrett.
“Ginie radiated life said Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton. She inspired us with her optimism her faith in God and her faith in the enduring grace of the human spirit. She will long be remembered by Pepperdine as a shining role model as we endeavor to live up to her ideals and values. She will be missed greatly.”
