Hays native and Fort Hays State University alumnus Peter J. Werth has donated $1.6 million to FHSU.

The announcement was made during a news conference this morning, as the university kicks off homecoming weekend.

Werth graduated from FHSU in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.  He founded ChemWerth Inc. in 1982 in Woodbridge, Conn., to develop active pharmaceutical ingredients to produce generic drugs.

Peter and Pam Werth founded the Werth Family Foundation in 200 to support specific projects in educational, cultural and medical-related programs.

The Werth’s gift to FHSU will be used for STEM education–the science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiative in the Institute of Applied Technology; development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem; and the Department of Chemistry.

Werth will receive the Alumni Achievement Award Friday night during the Alumni Awards and Recognition Banquet.

“They already had designated me the Alumni Achievement winner before we donated the million-six,” Werth joked.