Pittsburg ? A former high school teacher who earned a master’s degree from Kansas State Teachers College in 1936 has given the largest scholarship gift in school history to the college, now known as Pittsburg State University.

The estate of Ed Brychta last week gave $1.8 million to the school, which is expected to generate about $90,000 a year for scholarships.

“It was clear, when I visited with Mr. Brychta, how much he loved students and teaching,” said Pittsburg State University President Tom Bryant. “This gift will continue to do what Mr. Brychta did for all of his life: help young men and women achieve more than they thought they could ever achieve.”

After Brychta received a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University in 1931, he taught sciences and industrial arts in Reno County before pursuing his master’s degree at the teachers college.

The university is in the fourth year of a $120 million capital campaign, most of which is earmarked for increased scholarship endowments.