Fairleigh Dickinson University announced a historic $6 million gift from an anonymous donor to advance its College of Psychology and Counseling. It marks the largest single philanthropic commitment in the university’s history.

In recognition of the gift, FDU will formally name the Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling, honoring the late alumna Marion Turpan, ’63, ’65. Turpan earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at FDU with honors, later taught at the university, completed a doctorate in psychology, and built a successful career in real estate.

Her legacy of philanthropy at FDU dates to 1979, when she donated the cherry trees in front of the Kron Administration Building in memory of her mother, Lucille Najar. That act began a multigenerational tradition of giving.

A central component of the gift is the creation of the Marion Turpan Innovation and Humanics Hub, an interdisciplinary space on the first floor of Dickinson Hall on FDU’s Metropolitan Campus.

We are pleased to announce FDU will formally name the Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling to honor the legacy of the late FDU alumna Marion Turpan, BS’63, MA’65 (Metro), and her enduring commitment to education. This also comes with the establishment of the Marion… pic.twitter.com/IwnuwyLzfU

— Fairleigh Dickinson University (@FDUWhatsNew) February 3, 2026

The Hub will support innovative programs focused on psychology, counseling, nursing, and related health and health-adjacent disciplines. It will also establish a collaborative training environment to prepare students to navigate the intersection of technology, health and human connection. It is expected to open in early 2027.

“The key question for the new hub,” said Michael Avaltroni, president, Fairleigh Dickinson University, “is how do we prepare students to lead with both innovation and humanity?”

More benefits

The donation will also significantly expand professional development opportunities and academic offerings, provide student scholarships and fellowships, increase faculty resources, expand mental health services and training, and support college capital improvements.

The commitment builds on a prior $1 million gift from the donor that established the Dennis Turpan Research and Development Lab for Cutting Edge Technologies and Disciplines in Becton Hall, honoring Marion Turpan’s son and fellow FDU alumnus.

“This remarkable commitment reflects a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities,” said Avaltroni. “On behalf of the entire university, I extend my profound gratitude to our generous donor for this visionary and selfless investment.

“By honoring Marion Turpan’s legacy, this gift will expand opportunities for our students, strengthen our academic programs and help ensure that future generations of practitioners and scholars are prepared to lead with both innovation and humanity.”