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Graduates Give $5M Gift To UMass

AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — A married couple who graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has donated $5 million to the school that will be used to enhance Judaic studies.

The gift from Pamela and Robert Jacobs announced Monday will establish a named faculty chair and scholarships in Judaic and Near Eastern studies and programming in the Institute for Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies. In addition, it will provide support for UMass Hillel, which offers programming and resources to Jewish students.

Pamela Jacobs graduated from UMass with a bachelor's degree in English in 1969. Robert Jacobs received his bachelor's degree in government from UMass in 1968.

The gift is part of the $300 million UMass Rising fundraising campaign.

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy says the Jacobses have demonstrated tremendous vision in their commitment to the university.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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