Grove City College has accepted a gift of $70 million from the estate of 1979 graduate David R. Rathburn, which it says is the largest ever recorded in its 149-year history.

Before his death in February 2024, Rathburn served as a longtime member of the college’s board of trustees and was a major donor.

Three-quarters of the donation, $52 million, will go toward financial aid for lower-income students, while the remainder will be set aside for capital improvement projects.

The donation also makes up a significant amount of the college’s fundraising goal of $185 million, which it set as part of its Impact 150 campaign, which coincides with the college’s upcoming 150th anniversary next year.