A Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate has given a $1 million gift to his alma mater, the school announced Tuesday.

Hugo S. Ferguson earned a bachelor's degree in physics in 1956 and a doctorate in metallurgy in 1962.

Half of the donation will be used to establish a graduate student fellowship in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and $250,000 will be used for a scholarship in that department. The remaining $250,000 will be designated for a scholarship in the school's physics and astronomy department.

"We sincerely appreciate this very generous gift from the Fergusons," said Brenda Wilson-Hale, Rensselaer's vice president for institute advancement, in a statement. "Dr. Ferguson has had a remarkable career in industry, both as a leader and innovator. His involvement in and contribution to Rensselaer and our highly rated School of Engineering will help us to continue our goal of educating some of the best engineers in the world, and to conduct leading-edge research."

-- Scott Waldman