Maurice and Carolyn Dursi Cunniffe, Ph.D., graduates of Fordham University have donated $20 million to the university, making the Cunniffes the largest donors in the university’s history.

The Maurice and Carolyn Cunniffe Presidential Scholars Program will allow 20 students to attend Fordham each year on scholarship. It will also support summer programs that focus on service learning, international programs, and research and internship opportunities according to the Wall Street Journal and Fordham News.

The Cunniffes have previously donated nearly $15 million to Fordham, making the total sum of their monetary gifts close to $35 million. The administration building on the Rose Hill campus was renamed the Cunniffe House for Mr. Cunniffe’s contributions to the Fordham community. The fountain outside of the Cunniffe House was named for Mrs. Cunniffe.

Maurice Cunniffee, Fordham College at Rose Hill (FCRH) ’54, attended Fordham Preparatory School and graduated from the university with a degree in physics. He then became an engineer and businessman. Mr. Cunniffe received the Fordham Founder’s Award in 2010 for his support of the university and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at last year’s commencement ceremony.

Carolyn Cunniffe also graduated from FCRH, receiving a bachelor’s degree in French literature. She went on to earn a masters and doctoral degree from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). Since then she has been vice president of Revlon and senior vice president of Cablevision. Mrs. Cunniffe is currently on the university’s Board of Trustees.

This $20 million gift is the second-largest donation that the university has received and totals Fordham’s current campaign for financial aid at $82 million, according to Fordham News. The current goal for the campaign is $175 million.