BALTIMORE (AP) — Notre Dame of Maryland University says it has received a $1.5 million gift to fund the first endowed chair in its School of Nursing.

Officials say gift from The Pitts Family Foundation is among the largest gifts received from a university alumna.

Frances Kay Pitts graduated from the school with a nursing degree in 1996 and later earned a master’s degree from Georgetown University, becoming a certified nurse midwife.

Her husband, James F. Pitts, is a retired Northrop Grumman Corp. executive.

The university was founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame more than 100 years ago.

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