Ivy Tech's Elkhart campus received a big gift Thursday, in the form of $4.1M.

Mervin D. Lung and his wife Dorothy have donated the money to a scholarship in their name for future students. But their contribution also carries a heavier meaning.

The Lungs are longtime donors to Ivy Tech, and say they hope this donation will encourage others to give money to help the school build a new, world-class manufacturing facility on campus.

“That's our mission, to provide the broadest access to members of the community, and that resonates with them, and that's why since 1994 they've been giving us gifts,” said Thomas Coley, Chancellor at North Central Region Ivy Tech. “They were very instrumental in our first campus, and this is a continuation of their support."

The college is looking for funds to build an advanced Lean manufacturing training center with modern floor plans and technologies, similar to what students would use in the work place.