Nov 24, 2014 03:34 PM EST By J Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

Lakeland College in Wisconsin has received a generous donation from an alumnus to benefit natural sciences.

After more than 45 years after graduating with a bachelor's degree, Dr. Cliff Feldmann is giving the liberal arts college $840,000 to continue the transformation of the programs  in Lakeland's natural sciences division.

The money will set in motion significant expansion of the Lakeland Undergraduate Research Experience (LURE), fund cutting-edge equipment that will provide new student research opportunities and create significant new scholarships designed to attract top-tier, high-achieving students from throughout the Midwest.

"[David Rath, longtime chemistry professor and division chair], provided me with an opportunity to continue my education," Feldmann, who later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked a number of years for Hewlett-Packard, said in a statement. "He provided me extra time and a facility on campus at which I could study. That made it easier for me to transition through a difficult time. I had a very positive experience there while doing my undergraduate work and now I'm at a point in my career where I want to give back in the hopes of making a difference for this generation of faculty and students."

Lakeland President Dan Eck said the college is excited to work with Feldmann to see how his generous gift will transform the natural sciences programs.

"Lakeland is grateful to have loyal alumni who are willing to share their hard work and good fortune in support of the college's mission," Eck said. "We have a very talented faculty, and we are all looking forward to seeing the positive impact on our academic programs and the increased opportunities for students that will come with this incredible gift."

Feldmann's gift will benefit a program that has been experiencing significant growth in the last several years.

Paul Pickhardt, chair of the natural sciences division and associate professor of biology, aid Feldmann's gift will put Lakeland's programs in a stronger position to enhance current relationships create new ones with community and industry partners. The gift will also help the growth of the college's exercise science program.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit