West Virginia University has announced a $1.4 million bequest from the estate of Mary Lou Hudnall in support of its School of Medicine and the chemistry program at the WVU Institute of Technology.

The gift from Hudnall, who passed away in 2019, will provide discretionary funding in support of academic enrichment at the medical school and the greatest needs at WVU Tech. Made through the West Virginia University Foundation, the gift honors Hudnall's late husband, Leonard P. Hudnall, an alumnus of both WVU Tech ('45) and the School of Medicine ('46), who, prior to his death in July 1999, worked as chief anesthesiologist for Ohio Valley Medical Center and Wheeling Hospital. Mary Lou Hudnall, who graduated from Ohio Valley General Hospital School of Nursing ('48), has made a number of gifts to WVU Tech's chemistry program in her husband's memory.

"We are so grateful to the Hudnall family for their generosity and support throughout their lives and now with this wonderful legacy gift," said WVU Tech campus president Carolyn Long. "This will be so valuable as we continue to educate students in our chemistry program, help them experience science and research first-hand, and prepare them for successful careers."