Alumnus Shuns Publicity in $100-Million Gift to Stanford

Stanford University said Wednesday that it has received one of its biggest donations ever, $100 million, from Silicon Valley real estate magnate John Arrillaga.

Arrillaga, who played basketball for Stanford and graduated with a geography degree in 1960, has been a frequent contributor to his alma mater. The name of his late wife, Frances, graces the campus’ alumni center, and he has contributed heavily to athletic facilities, including the current rebuilding of Stanford’s football stadium.

The university said it has not decided what it will do with the most recent donation, which came as a cash payment within “the last couple of weeks,” according to spokesman Alan Acosta.

“It will go to the benefit of a range of academic purposes, teaching and research, but there’s not any specific direction that was given with the donation,” Acosta said.

The donation was disclosed Wednesday by the San Francisco Chronicle. Acosta said the donation “was not something that he was seeking to get publicized.” Arrillaga could not be reached for comment.