The Berklee College of Music in Boston has announced a gift of $8.1 million — the largest in its 67-year-history — from the estate of Oliver Dyer Colvin, Jr., a longtime patron.

The gift will support campus renovations and student scholarships, the Boston Globe reports. In recognition of the gift, the college will name its hundred-seat performance hall the Oliver Colvin Room.

Colvin, who died in 2011 at the age of 84, served as a naval officer during the Korean War and worked on defense contracts involving weapons systems before becoming chairman of the Cargocaire Engineering Corporation in Amesburg, Massachusetts. When in Boston, Colvin often visited Berklee's Performance Center and recital halls to hear students perform.

"Mr. Colvin loved to come hear Berklee students perform and, with this gift, he has helped us guarantee that the next generation of talented musicians will continue to advance the jazz tradition he enjoyed so much," said Berklee College of Music president Roger H. Brown. "We are deeply grateful for his generosity."