Villanova University's national championship basketball program and the school's well-regarded law school recently have received hefty donations as part of a mega-capital campaign. But the latest grant news has been particularly gratifying in the view of Patrick Maggitti, the university provost. Albert Lepage, former cochairman of the Lepage Bakery and a Villanova alumnus, has donated $10 million to establish the Albert Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest, dedicated to looking at contemporary global issues, such as Europe's refugee crisis, as they relate to historical events. It represents the largest gift ever to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. And as much as the university is celebrating the Wildcats' basketball success, that college "is the crux of why we're here," Maggitti said. "My hope is that the good study of history will foster a greater understanding of today relative to yesterday," said Lepage, who graduated as a history major in 1969. While details are still being worked out, Adele Lindenmeyr, the college dean, said that the center planned to have a magazine and hoped to host a variety of events, from talks that showcase how history informs the present day to conferences for secondary school history teachers. It is slated to begin operations with the fall semester and will have a full-time administrative director, who has not been hired. "The center will be a resource both for Villanova and for the wider community," Lindenmeyr said. "Eventually, we hope it will have a national reach." The center had its origins in a Maya Angelou quote that Lepage sent to members of the committee who were planning how to use the money: "History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived," the poet said, "but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." Lindenmeyr said the committee concluded that a center that brought a historical perspective to current events would be the best way to honor Lepage's intentions. "We are grateful that Mr. Lepage studied history and remembered his classes so fondly," Lindenmeyr said. While the gift may be the largest to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, it is only the latest major donation to Villanova as part of the university's $600 million, five-year capital campaign. The school also recently received a $22.6 million donation to help support the school's basketball program and a $25 million gift to the law school. The campaign began in October 2013, and Lepage's donation brings the total amount raised to $550 million. dblock@phillynews.com 610-313-8119