MOBILE, Ala. — Daphne resident and University of South Alabama President Gordon Moulton and his wife, Geri, on Thursday donated $3 million toward a cure for cancer. Considered one of the largest gifts in USA history, the money will establish the Geri and Gordon Moulton Research Fund at the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.

To honor their generosity, the college’s board of trustees voted to name the main research floor of the institute the Geri and Gordon Moulton Center for Cancer Research.

Moulton became USA president in 1998 after the resignation of founding president Frederick P. Whiddon. Moulton has been with the university for 42 years.

“It is gratifying to Geri and me to be a part of something as important to the people of the Mobile region as the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute,” Gordon Moulton said. “This initiative will touch countless lives now and in the future, and we are honored to be associated with such a humanitarian endeavor.”

While he spent much of his adult life helping the university grow, Geri Moulton grew a small business. Together, they built a substantial nest egg and wanted to share it with others.

Gordon Moulton said, “As you get older, you organize your priorities. We’ve been fortunate to be able to accumulate a little bit.”

The gift increases the tally of Campaign USA, the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. It was kicked off in March 2006 with a goal of raising $75 million to support USA programs, research, faculty, students and construction. A total of $72.8 million has been donated so far to the effort led by local civic, business and national leaders, many of whom are USA alumni.

The money being raised is used to fund undergraduate and graduate scholarships, professorships, classroom and laboratory equipment and health care innovations. Money is also earmarked for capital enhancements to USA’s athletic facilities and a campus bell tower.

“We believe in the causes of the university,” Moulton said. He noted money raised through the capital campaign is used to attract matching funds and grants.

The USA Mitchell Cancer Institute is close to his heart because like so many, Moulton is a cancer survivor. He said, “Cancer will wake you up and make you realize how vulnerable you are.” He noted the work of the institute will help improve the health of the entire community.

The center is designed to make great strides toward the prevention, diagnosis and advanced treatment of cancer. The effort is made possible through the institute’s innovative medical research and partnerships with health care professionals in the region.

Founded in 2000, the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute represents a total investment of more than $135 million, including $75 million in construction and equipment for a new state-of-the-art cancer research and treatment center that opened this month.

Geri Moulton said, “I can think of no higher purpose of philanthropy than to help people live longer and healthier lives. It is a privilege to support an endeavor as worthy as the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.”

Jim Yance of Spanish Fort, USA board of trustees vice chairman, Campaign USA chairman and a USA graduate, said, “Gordon and Geri Moulton have given tirelessly to the communities in this area and to the university. This gift they are making to the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute is just further evidence of their dedication not only to their community but to this region and to the delivery of health care to the citizens of this entire country.”

Board Chairman Pro Tempore Dr. Steven Stokes said he considers the Moultons “parents of the university family.” He added, “They have pulled all the members of the USA family together on projects that benefit the institution and serve the entire community, such as this world-class USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.”

The University of South Alabama has been one of Alabama’s fastest growing universities since its 1963 founding. Moulton is often credited with its resurgence as a destination for a quality education. He said, “We try to add buildings and programs as needed to serve the constituents — students and the community. “We’re here to educate students, find new knowledge (through research) and treat patients (at USA’s hospitals and clinics). We try our best to make students successful.”

More than 14,000 students are currently enrolled at USA in a wide range of academic programs in Allied Health Professions, Arts and Sciences, Mitchell College of Business, Computer and Information Sciences, Continuing Education and Special Programs, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy. The university has awarded more than 62,000 degrees.

The main campus is nestled on 1,200 acres in west Mobile, and USA Baldwin County is located in Fairhope.

For more information on Campaign USA, visit www.campaignusaleadership.com, or call (251) 460-7032.