Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas has received a $5 million gift, the largest donation in the school’s 66-year history, from the Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation, said the Rev. Philip Postell, president of Jesuit.

Father Postell said the gift brings total donations to $22.5 million toward the $26.5 million goal of the “We Are Jesuit” campaign.

In recognition of the landmark gift, Father Postell announced that Jesuit’s arts, athletics and assembly building, completed in 2000, will be named the Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation Center.

The building serves as the focal point of the campus and is home to many school and Jesuit community events. A ceremony to officially dedicate the building will be held at a school assembly Friday.

“It’s easy to talk about support, but much rarer to exhibit commitment,” Father Postell said.

“The Terry family has always led by their involvement and deeds. Their lead gift will provide real encouragement for others throughout our community to participate in this endeavor.”

The contribution will be divided between the capital and endowment initiatives of “We Are Jesuit,” a five-year drive that began in June 2007.

Approximately $3.8 million will help fund the construction and remodeling of several campus facilities, including new classrooms, enhanced student commons areas and improved athletic facilities.

Approximately $1.2 million will be added to the Jesuit Fund for Excellence and two endowments previously initiated by the Terry family, the Thomas D. DeLoache ’71 Memorial Debate Endowment and the Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation Faculty Fund.

The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation was founded in 2006 by Michael F. and Mary D. Terry. Mr. Terry has been an investor in natural gas, real estate and retailing.

Their daughter, Melissa Pridmore, a 1997 Ursuline Academy graduate, serves as executive director. The Terrys’ two sons graduated from Jesuit, Michael in 2000 and Travis in 2002. The Terrys’ son-in-law, Dustin Pridmore, is a 1997 Jesuit graduate.

“While our family has personally benefited from the superior education provided at Jesuit, we also recognize the positive impact it has made on thousands of other families,” Mr. Terry said. “The Terry family strongly believes in promoting excellence in education and we are delighted to make this investment in Jesuit.”

The gift continues the Terry family’s long history of support to Jesuit and the Jesuit Foundation.

Mr. Terry concluded a two-year term as the foundation’s chairman in 2007 and has also served as a member of the school’s Board of Trustees.

He currently serves as co-chairman, along with Charles “Chick” Young, of the “We Are Jesuit” campaign.