Thomas Seifert has few memories of his older brother, Edward. A single photograph captures their brief relationship.

“It shows him holding me when he was on leave from the war. That’s the only photo of us together,” Seifert said.

Corporal Edward Philip Seifert enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on Pearl Harbor Day, nine months before his baby brother was born. He was killed on Iwo Jima in 1945, when Tom was just two years old.

Eight decades later, Edward will be honored at University of the Pacific thanks to Tom Seifert and his wife, former regent Dianne Philibosian ’68. The couple pledged $50,000 to honor the corporal with a named residential suite in Manor Hall, a historic campus building that will house student veterans beginning fall 2025.

Renovations to Manor Hall began earlier this year. Completion is anticipated for February 2025, with move-in slated for August.

“It’s so important for veterans to have an affinity group on campus, and a living space dedicated exclusively to them will be significant for creating that support group,” Philibosian said. “This felt like the perfect opportunity to honor Edward and to perpetuate his memory.”

During World War II, Cpl. Seifert’s service took him to the Northern Mariana Islands, to Guam, Saipan and later to Tinian, where the atomic bombs targeting Hiroshima and Nagasaki originated. He was wounded and sent to a hospital in Hawaii for treatment, but chose to return to the war when he recovered.

He died in the Battle of Iwo Jima six months later. Only 21 years old, he was awarded two Purple Hearts for his courage and sacrifice.

The corporal never attended college, but in letters home to his mother, urged her to ensure a different outcome for young Tom.

“He talked about how I needed an education,” Seifert said. “He wanted me to go to college, since he didn’t have the opportunity, and he was very insistent that my mother follow through with that. It was never a question whether I would go or not.”

Seifert later graduated from the University of Cincinnati and enjoyed a long career in manufacturing.

“Because of that, it feels so fitting to pay tribute to Edward among educators, students and all that he so valued and wanted for his little brother,” Philibosian said. 

Manor Hall features residential rooms for more than 30 students, along with quiet spaces and gathering areas for studying, counseling and events. Accessible amenities, such as an ADA-compliant kitchen and supportive furniture, will accommodate the physical challenges some veterans face.

“This focus on comfort and inclusivity ensures Manor Hall is not just another residence, but is a true community hub for veteran students,” said Stan Rapada ’21, ’24, a United States Navy veteran and director of Pacific’s Military and Veteran Student Center.

The building also will house physical tributes to Edward Seifert and others in its named spaces. Photos, medals and artifacts will be displayed with plaques sharing each veteran’s story.

“These tributes are intended to make veterans' experiences feel authentic and accessible,” Rapada explained. “They will encourage connections with the past, inspiring conversations about service, courage and the sacrifices these individuals made for future generations.”

Rapada hopes students and others take time to reflect on these stories and their examples of resilience. He also emphasizes the importance of philanthropic and volunteer support in furthering the vision of a veteran-friendly campus environment.

“Dianne’s and Tom’s donation demonstrates the transformative power of a personal investment in veterans' futures,” he said. “Their gift is a testament to the gratitude and respect so many of us hold for veterans' sacrifices.”

Having spent his childhood revisiting Edward’s letters and postcards with his mother, Tom Seifert, too, appreciates the value in honoring veterans’ stories.

“My mother constantly reminded me what Edward was about, what he thought and what he loved,” Seifert said. “That was such a great part of my growing up that now, even though I didn’t know him well, he lives very much in my heart.”

To learn about naming opportunities in Manor Hall, contact Scott Biedermann ’05, ’20, vice president for development and alumni relations, at 209.946.2166 or sbiedermann@pacific.edu.