Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts, has announced gifts totaling $125 million from two alumni to support the school's ongoing efforts to provide the finest possible undergraduate education and greater access to it.

The unrestricted gifts, of $100 million and $25 million, are among seven commitments totaling $206 million to the historic college's $425 million capital campaign and will be paid over five years. With the gifts, the campaign, which was formally launched last October, has raised $350 million.

According to Amherst College president Anthony W. Marx, the funds could be used to enhance financial aid, broaden access for high-achieving students, hire more faculty and improve their resources and support, foster modern and interdisciplinary approaches to education, renovate existing facilities and build new ones, and strengthen alumni relationships in order to increase opportunities for student research, internships, and service.

"In a difficult economic moment, when institutions and individuals have fewer resources, these unrestricted gifts to the endowment represent extraordinary votes of support for Amherst College and the mission of educational quality and access at liberal arts colleges in general," said Marx. "[The donors] are grateful for the opportunities that an Amherst College education has provided them and remain inspired by the values the college holds dear. They hope that their gifts will inspire other alumni to come forward and help ensure that future generations will benefit from an Amherst College education as well."