Former CBS News anchor Dan Rather has donated a record $2 million to his alma mater, Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

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The donation from Rather and his wife, Jean, is the largest single monetary gift in the school's history, Sam Houston announced in a news release.

The 1953 graduate's contribution to Sam Houston's "Share the Vision" capital campaign will help fund educational programs and scholarships.

"So many people, known and unknown, helped me to get through Sam Houston State when I was there, desperately trying to make it, that I've always wanted to give back -- some how, some way, to the best of my ability," Rather, 74, said of the gift.

Rather has been an active alumnus, helping financially as well as speaking to classes, filming promotions and establishing a broadcast internship program for students with CBS News in New York.