ELMHURST, IL - An Elmhurst College alumna has pledged $750,000 to support Honors Program students who want to study abroad.

According to the college, this is the largest gift ever give for study abroad scholarships. The donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has given the gift to support today's students studying abroad while also building an endowment for future students. Honors Program students who demonstrate financial need could be eligible to use the funds.

"This amazingly generous scholarship fund will provide the opportunity of a lifetime for many students who otherwise would never be able to access the transformative experience of study abroad," said Mary Kay Mulvaney, director of the Honors Program and an English professor at Elmhurst College. "I cannot think of a more important gift to provide to today's students, who must acquire a global consciousness if they are to compete in and better serve our needy world." The college said among Elmhurst College students who graduated last year, approximately 20 percent had studied abroad during their time at the College. More than half of Honors Program graduates studied abroad.

"This wonderful gift goes to the heart of what we want Elmhurst College to be for our students – a source of opportunity, new experiences and transformation," said President Troy D. VanAken in a release. "We are deeply grateful for this donor's generosity." The donor, a longtime supporter of Elmhurst College, wanted to do more to expand opportunities for students to study abroad, and significantly increased her investment to the international travel program.