Buffalo State College has received the largest one-time gift in the school's history.
Western New York residents, Richard and Patricia Garman, have gifted $4 million to the college's distinguished Art Conservation Department.
The family’s gift will result in continuous support for the students who enter the competitive and internationally recognized art conservation graduate program. There are only three other programs like this in the country.
Richard Garman is the former president and CEO of Buffalo Crushed Stone and ABC Paving Company.
Patricia Garman, who passed away in January 2014, taught psychiatric nursing at D’Youville College and operated a private practice. She also was recognized as a leader by many cultural and community organizations.
The couple has three grown daughters who live in East Aurora, New York.
The Garman's gift completes a challenge grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. In 2014, the foundation awarded the art conservation program with a $1.25 million challenge grant, which required the college to raise an additional $750,000 by June 2017.