The school announced Friday that Edward Monser made the pledge to support construction of a center for micro-enterprises and high tech manufacturing. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports it is the largest personal donation in the school’s 111-year history.

The new center will provide an industrial environment for 100 to 150 students, who will produce $4 million to $5 million in goods and services every year. The building is expected to be open by 2019.

Monser recently retired as president of Emerson, a Ferguson-based technology and engineering company. He worked at the company for more than 30 years. Monser has served on Ranken’s Board of Trustees for 17 years.