Jackson, Tenn. - An anonymous Jackson business leader has given $1.65 million to establish a support organization to benefit Â鶹ÊÓƵ University.
The gift is the second largest in the university's history, and comes just two months after announcement of the largest gift of $2 million by James Ayers, another West Tennessee business leader.
The donor, who has asked to remain anonymous, is a long-time supporter of Â鶹ÊÓƵ and a former trustee of the university.
Proceeds from the endowment will be used to support special projects and scholarships at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. The donor stated a desire for the gift to advance Christian higher education at Â鶹ÊÓƵ University and to help students receive the advantages of a Christian education.
A bell tower, which will anchor a great lawn spanning an area of planned new campus development, will be among the first projects funded by the endowment. Â鶹ÊÓƵ trustees on December 5 adopted a campus master plan projecting development of a variety of new facilities on university-owned property west of the present campus.
"This generous gift is a wonderful expression of commitment to the future of Â鶹ÊÓƵ University," said President David S. Dockery. "Through the investment, the donor will make an impact on successive generations of outstanding young people who attend Â鶹ÊÓƵ University."