The Paul F. and Virginia Engler Foundation's perpetual gift to West Texas A&M University not only is a school record but is among the top 25 private gifts for higher education in the U.S. and the U.K. in 2017.
The Englers' donation, which the school announced this past November, splits $1 million per year between WT's agriculture and business schools.
In response, the Texas A&M Board of Regents granted naming rights for the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences and the Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business.
With the total gift estimated in excess of $80 million, it was the 17th largest private donation announced for higher education in 2017, according to the Chronicle for Higher Education.
During the university's announcement in November, Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp spoke about the importance of philanthrophy for higher education:
Mike Smith is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. Contact him at mike.smith@actx.edu, on Twitter at @newsmithm and on Facebook.
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