When Constellation Brands gave $1 million to Finger Lakes Community College, it was the largest donation in the history of the college. Not any more. Friday a Naples man topped that with a gift that includes more than money.

This latest donation to FLCC will allow it to open a satellite campus in Naples.

George Fraley, an 85-year-old Naples resident and conservationist, is giving FLCC land, scholarships and a charitable trust totaling $2.3 million.

The land is more than 30 acres in Naples that will be home to the college's East Hill Campus. It is intended for FLCC conservation students, but won't be limited to just them.

"Our conservation students we know will use the land for their camping programs and it's ideal for that,” said Dr. Barbara Risser, FLCC president. “In addition to that we know we can have retreats there. We're looking at some opportunities like maybe a ropes course and things that maybe we don't have around here right now that the whole community could enjoy."

Finger Lakes community college already has a reputable conservation program. Department officials say Fraley's gift will only make it better.

"Our department is constantly looking for ways to grow,” said Anne Schnell, who chairs FLCC’s conservation department. “We have some ideas for some new degree programs and we’re certainly looking to enhance our current degree programs and utilize this property as part of that."

Fraley says he's always wanted to do something special for the college. He believes donating this gift of land will benefit students by giving them a hands-on experience working in the wild. Fraley says the idea is to allow students to become more familiar with the various plants and animals that are native to the area.

"Education, I think, is the key to the whole thing,” Fraley said. “Whether it's here locally in New York State, in Naples, or whether in the Gulf of Mexico, if you knew exactly what you’re supposed to be doing you wouldn't have all these other problems."

To say thank you for the gift, the college named a road on its Canandaigua campus in honor of its largest donor.

Finger Lakes Community College