Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond has announced a $1.2 million gift from longtime benefactor Inger Rice to support the Inger and Walter Rice Center for Environmental Life Sciences.

Given in recognition of VCU's new president, Michael Rao, the gift will be used to establish the Inger Rice Endowment Fund, which will support maintenance of the center's grounds and the Walter L. Rice Education Building. In 2007, Rice donated $2 million for construction of the 4,900-square-foot building, the first to be certified LEED platinum in the state.

"Mrs. Rice's ongoing generosity of the VCU Rice Center exemplifies her commitment to the environment, education, and the future of our community and beyond," said Rao. "I am thankful to Mrs. Rice for her magnanimous generosity and dedication to excellence, and I am confident that important work will continue to be accomplished at the center."