92-year-old grad pledges $13M to Ohio University

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — A woman who graduated from Ohio University in 1938 is giving what officials say is one of the largest personal gifts to the school in its history.

Violet Patton, 92, has pledged $13.3 million that will allow the university to create a new center for fine arts teaching.

Officials say the facility will help bolster arts education in the Appalachian region.

The gift was announced at a news conference Monday. Patton was unable to attend but issued a statement describing the new center as a bridge for those who will follow her.

The university says Patton came from a family of educators and was a teacher herself and also has written textbooks.