The contribution approved Thursday at the board's regular quarterly meeting is to be made immediately and is in addition to the $6 million over three years pledged by the association to academic programs last year.
Under a proposal by athletics director Damon Evans, the donation allocates $500,000 for need-based scholarships, $500,000 to launch a new merit-based scholarship program and $1 million to fund four professorships.
"I want to thank the association for its support to the university in what I think is the toughest 18 months the university has had financially since World War II," university President Michael Adams said. "The fact Damon has come forward and volunteered additional help is something I'm grateful for.
"I think the relationship with those two sides of the house is as strong as it's been in my 13 years here," Adams said.
At the meeting, the board also approved an $84.75 million athletics budget for 2010-11, about the same size as its 2009-10 budget.
It also approved $750,000 to install new chairback seats throughout Georgia's baseball stadium, Foley Field, which now has a combination of chairback and bleacher-style seating, and $500,000 to create an academic hall of fame for university athletes.
The board also approved $200,000 to address erosion problems near Gate 9 of Sanford Stadium.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/5/229644