SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — The University of Rhode Island (URI) has received a $65 million gift that will be put toward new scholarships.

URI said the largest philanthropic gift in the school's history is from the estate of the late Helen Izzi Schilling, who graduated from the university back in 1954.

Schilling made a commitment with her late husband Francis Schilling to include the university in their will. The Helen Izzi Schilling and Francis Schilling Scholars Program has been established as a result of their generosity.

URI said the endowed scholarship will give high-achieving undergraduate students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math up to $20,000 per year for four years.

Schilling studied nutrition at URI and graduated with honors. She met her husband while they were both furthering their studies at Ohio State University.

Frank Schilling worked at General Election (GE) throughout his career, eventually becoming vice president and head of GE Medical Systems.

URI President Marc Parlange called the gift "transformational", adding that it shows how the school's alumni believe in the university and its students.

"URI has never been in a better place, due, in no small measure, to our remarkable community," Parlange said.

The scholarship will be awarded to undergraduates starting in the fall 2025 admission cycle.