Investor and Amherst alumnus Dwight Goldthorpe ’41 died last fall in Palm Beach, Fla. and left two-thirds of his fortune to the College, amounting to $23 million, according to a College press release. This represents the largest bequest in the school’s history.

Goldthorpe attended Mercersburg Academy before matriculating at the College in the 1930s. He enrolled at Harvard Business School after graduation, and served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946. He left no surviving relatives.

Goldthorpe’s donation was earmarked to be used for “either a new building or the expansion of an existing building,” according to Chief Advancement Officer Megan Morey. The press release expands upon this request, stating that “his gift will be used to enhance Amherst’s physical plant, either for the addition of a new facility or for the expansion of an existing building.”

College President Tony Marx commented, “His support will enable us to further improve our campus and, in turn, help us recruit the most promising students, faculty and staff. The gift is a wonderful legacy, and will be forever beneficial for future generations of Amherst undergraduates.”

—Sam Huneke