CANTON — St. Lawrence University received the largest gift in the University’s 161-year history on Sunday.

Sarah E. Johnson ’82 and her parents, Charles and Ann Johnson, members of the Laurentian circle of leaders, committed an unrestricted gift to SLU for $25 million.

Charles and Ann are directly connected to St. Lawrence as parents and grandparents. Sarah serves as a trustee and co-chair of the University’s forthcoming comprehensive fundraising campaign.

“This extraordinary vote of confidence is a life-altering gift for St. Lawrence in its proportions and intentions and will allow the University to fund myriad priorities in people and programs,” commented President William L. Fox. “The Johnsons believe in what makes this place so special, and their exceptionally generous giving helps advance St. Lawrence for today’s students and the generations to come.”

Charles Johnson is the retired chairman and president of Franklin Resources/Franklin Templeton Investments. Ann Johnson is a retired psychiatrist.

Together with their daughter Sarah, a film producer and St. Lawrence alumna, the Johnson Family is not only deeply devoted to St. Lawrence but also is recognized as leading American philanthropists in arts and education.

The Johnson Hall of Science, the first LEED Gold-certified science building in New York State, was dedicated in October 2007.