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The College of William and Mary received a $3 million gift from the estate of a former student, Margaret Baxter Vaughan.

According to the university, $500,000 of the gift is for the school’s Swem Library and the rest is unrestricted funds. Vaughan graduated from the school with degrees in philosophy and economics in 1976.

She passed away on Oct. 19, 2010.

“William and Mary is so very grateful for this marvelous gift,” President Taylor Reveley said. “I believe Margaret had a fondness for libraries generally and for Swem in particular. She understood how vitally important libraries are to a healthy society and to excellent schools. It is especially fitting that a portion of her gift will help sustain Swem. Margaret and her generosity to William and Mary will be long remembered at her alma mater.”

In honor of Vaughan, the Swem Library has named its first floor study area after her as the Margaret Baxter Vaughn Read and Relax area, which will feature new massage chairs and an open classroom arrangement.

“We are honored that Margaret would Support Swem Library by choosing to remember us in this thoughtful way,” said William and Mary Dean of University Libraries Carrie Cooper. “Gifts like Margaret’s allow us to provide top-notch services and valuable spaces to our students, faculty, campus and greater Williamsburg community.”

Bogues can be reached by phone at 757-247-4536.