Over the past year, Tulane athletics has undergone significant changes. These changes, while daunting to some, have served as an inspiration to others.

Donald Peters, a Baltimore portfolio manager for T. Rowe Price and Tulane graduate of the class of 1981, and his wife Lora showed their faith in the Green Wave through a $2.5 million dollars to athletics.

$2 million of the donation will go to athletic support, while the remaining will support the Olive and Blue Society and Green Wave Club.

“I think at every school I’ve been at your hope is that you can find donors like Don and Lora that … came out of the woodworks and, out of the goodness of their hearts, say ‘I want to help make a difference,'” Deputy Athletics Director Monica Lebron said.

The donation is significant because of both its size and spontaneity. According to Lebron, most donations to the program are pledges made over the course of five years, with donors making payments over time. The Peters’ made the donation without warning and paid entirely up front.

Both athletic director Troy Dannen and football head coach Willie Fritz have personally reached out and thanked the Peters for their contribution.

“Thankfully, a lot of folks in our athletic department have already [thanked the Peters], but I can’t wait to meet Don and Lora and thank them myself for making a program-changing gift,” Lebron said.

How Athletics will use the money is still unclear. According to Lebron, the staff is still assessing the needs of the department. Lebron also stated that some of the areas of focus were improving facilities and raising athletics salaries.

“We want to win in every facet, and it’s not just on the field or on the court,” Lebron said.

Since making the donation, Peters encouraged other Tulane alumni to support the athletics department as it undergoes changes.

“I wanted to make this gift as a call to other Tulanians,” Peters said. “The momentum is building, and I expect the excitement surrounding the Green Wave to continue. There is no better time to invest in the future of Tulane Athletics.”

In Lebron’s opinion, seeing alumni take charge and make donations is inspiring. The Peters’ generous actions call out to their peers, hopefully encouraging a new wave of support from the thousands of Tulane graduates.

“[Donald Peters] wants a call to action,” Lebron said. “He wants others to take note and step up… I think it’s pretty neat that he is asking his peers to also support our efforts.”