University of Evansville (UE) received $39 million in donation, the largest ever gift from an individual or corporation, according to university officials.

Dr. William L Ridgway who passed away last month, bequeathed the $39 million, bringing his overall contribution to the university to $52.6 million and becoming the largest donor in the university's 159-year history.

With Dr.Ridgway's latest donation, the university's total endowment has crossed the $100 million mark.

"Dr. Ridgway was a passionate believer in the importance of higher education and a devoted friend of the University of Evansville," said UE President Thomas A Kazee.

Initially, the university will receive $5 million, which will be used in part to create the Ridgway Endowment for Faculty Excellence, to support the efforts of UE's talented teachers and scholars by granting financial resources for their travel, research and curricular innovation.

The remaining $34 million will be utilized to develop academic programs and facilities at the university.

Dr. Ridgway, who died at 92, earlier aided the university by purchasing the Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, to serve as the University of Evansville's British campus. He also set up a 92,000-square-foot Ridgway University Center in November 2008 and created the William L Ridgway Award in 2009 to allow Vanderburgh County students to attend the university at costs equivalent to Indiana's prominent public institutions.

The university's Ridgway University Center houses a 'campus living room' - where students can eat, study, and attend events, it also has the university bookstore and student life offices.