PITTSBURGH, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The University of Pittsburgh received a $41.3 million donation from an alumnus Wednesday, the largest individual gift in the school's history.
Chancellor Mark Nordenberg accepted the donation from Ansys founder John Swanson, who graduated from the university's School of Engineering, Pittsburgh's KDKA-TV reported.
Swanson founded the global engineering software firm in 1970 and Wednesday, he said he simply wanted to give back to those who helped him succeed.
"I'm deeply indebted to others for my education," he said. "So it makes sense to repay that at this time in my life."
A portion of his gift will be used to make significant changes to the college's engineering department.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said Swanson's donation easily surpasses the school's previous top individual gift, a $20 million donation from wealthy Pittsburgh resident Henry Hillman.
