St. Vincent College announced today the largest building project in its history -- an expansion of its science buildings that will be named The Sis and Herman Dupre Science Complex in recognition of a $7.6 million gift from the Dupre family.

According to a news release, the gift, the second largest in its history, will enable the college to house the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computing.

It also initiates a $40 million fund-raising campaign that will finance the expansion of the science complex and provide endowment for science faculty professorships and student scholarships.

Herman Dupre graduated from St. Vincent in 1953. An inventor and entrepreneur, Mr. Dupre holds 34 U.S. patents and developed one of the largest snowmaking systems in the world at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, Somerset County. Mr. Dupre served as chief executive officer of Seven Springs for 40 years prior to his retirement in 1992.