Two distinguished University of Alabama alumni have granted the College of Arts and Sciences its largest academic endowment in more than 20 years, according to UA News.

The endowment – gifted by Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough, a renowned facial plastic surgeon, and Susan McCollough, an award-winning artist – will create the Dr. E Gaylon McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars and the Susan N. McCollough Art Biennale.

“Susan and I have long been committed to the pursuit of excellence,” E. Gaylon McCollough told UA News. “We have dreamed of creating unique educational experiences in an academic environment that enlighten the mind and buoy the spirit.”

The pre-medical institute will act as a living-learning community that offers innovative interdisciplinary pre-medical training and mentorship. It will be considered by the University’s Board of Trustees in June and likely welcome its first class of around 40 students in the 2019-2020 school year.

The art biennale will then be an art exhibition that features the art of professional, emerging and alumni artists.

“We are truly thankful for the generosity shown by Gaylon and Susan McCollough,” President Stuart R. Bell told UA News. “They embody The University of Alabama spirit in so many ways, including their commitment to education, leadership and service. This gift is an excellent way to share their success with future generations of pre-medical and art students.”