Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, has received an unexpected bequest of more than $2 million from alumna Josephine K. Steiner, the Frederick News-Post reports.

Steiner, who died last July, received a degree in history from Hood in 1944, then returned home to New York City, where she worked as a teacher and later with the investment firm E.F. Hutton, which is now part of Citigroup. According to Hood president Ron Volpe, Steiner maintained little contact with her alma mater, making sporadic contributions over the years and visiting only once after graduation. So the bequest came as a surprise.

While the donation is unrestricted, Volpe envisions the funds supporting student scholarships, faculty research and development, and campus upgrades. "It's a wonderful gift to Hood," he said. "And in this time of economic uncertainty, it couldn't have come at a better time for our students."