The University's Miller Center of Public Affairs announced its acceptance of an unrestricted gift of $2 million from John and Rosemary Galbraith Friday.
John Galbraith said in a press release that he hoped his donation -- the largest gift in the Center's history -- would play an important role in helping the Miller Center carry out its academic mission.
The donation is "a vote of confidence in the fine work of the Miller Center," Galbraith said in a press release. "The country today needs more than ever to understand the history and workings of the American presidency. In addition, we want to support an institution that has contributed so much both locally and nationally to the public discourse on the critical issues of our time."
The Galbraiths could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Donations to the Center have grown over the years, but this particular donation is the largest gift the Miller Center has received since its founding by Burkett Miller, Miller Center Director Phillip D. Zelikow said.
"It is also a leadership donation as we begin a new capital campaign," Zelikow added.
The Center plans to put the money toward developing current programs and making the Miller Center the leading American history and politics research center in the country, according to Politics Prof. Kenneth Thompson, a former director of the Miller Center and friend of the Galbraiths.
"The Center's programs have become a principal place for basic research on the modern history and politics of the United States, centered on the American presidency," Zelikow said. "But we have not been able to build up the programs so they can fully shoulder this responsibility -- a $40 million goal. Mr. Galbraith's gift helps us launch our ambitious campaign to accomplish this growth."
The Galbraiths have previously donated more than $100,000 dollars to the Center, where John Galbraith serves on the Miller Center Governing Council.
The couple became involved with the Miller Center as they began to spend more time in Charlottesville over the last few years, according to Thompson.
Thompson said the Galbraiths are "faithful and enlightened participants in all our forums," adding that they are "great assets to the Miller Center."
The Galbraiths have contributed to a number of research programs all over the country, including the Florida International Museum and the Galbraith Marine Science Laboratory at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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