Lucas makes record donation to alma mater

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Legendary film producer George Lucas has made a record $175 million donation to his alma mater, the University of Southern California.

The Los Angeles Times reports the donation from the "Star Wars" creator, which will likely be directed toward a new film school, exceeded the university's previous top donation of $120 million by publisher Walter Annenberg.

"I discovered my passion for film and making movies when I was a student at USC in the 1960s, and my experiences there shaped the rest of my career," Lucas, who received a bachelor's degree at USC, said in a statement. "I'm also an ardent advocate for education at all levels, and encouraging young people to pursue their ambitions by learning. I'm very fortunate to be in a position to combine my two passions and to be able to help USC continue molding the futures of the moviemakers of tomorrow."

University representatives would not comment on the specifics of the donation from the 62-year-old filmmaker, but the university recently began sending out invitations for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new film school, the newspaper said.