The University of Kansas has received its largest private donation ever. The $58 million gift from the estate of Madison "Al" and Lila Self was announced by KU Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little at an event on Tuesday.
"This gift, in combination with what they've given before, totals $106 million," Gray-Little said.
Al and Lila Self died last year, both at the age of 91. They were both KU alums, having met as students at the university. Al Self graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1943; they were married that summer.
“Their gift will benefit generations of KU students whose innovations and ideas will create prosperity and well-being long into the future,” Gray-Little said.
The largest part of the couple's $58 million gift will be used for graduate fellowships. With the Selfs' gift, the school's "Far Above" fundraising campaign has exceeded its original goal and now totals more than $1.2 billion.