A 1955 graduate of the School of Home Economics, Nancy Johnson Nicholas and her husband, Albert “Ab” Nicholas (1931-2016) (BS 1952 Economics; MBA 1955), generously provided the $8 million lead gift to renovate and expand the Human Ecology building. Given in 2004, the gift is believed to be the largest single private gift ever made to a human ecology program. In announcing the gift, Nancy said, “I believe in the School of Human Ecology’s mission of enhancing the quality of life for people in all economic situations. Helping to create a new learning environment under one roof that will benefit the students, the faculty, the staff and the collections is exciting.” Robin A. Douthitt, then Dean of the School of Human Ecology, said, “I’m pleased that this lead gift comes from a Human Ecology alumna whose life and family exemplifies the importance of career, family, and community. The Nicholas-Johnson family names evoke the same high values and integrity embodied in our school’s mission, its proud history, and exciting future.” Thanks in large part to the Nicholas gift, Nancy Nicholas Hall accommodates all functions of the school within a single building and meets the space requirements for research, creative endeavors, education, and outreach. The enlarged building also offers an inviting area for public events and interdisciplinary research.