PRINCETON, N.J. ( (AP)  -- Princeton University is getting one of the school's largest donation from an alumnus.

Gerhard Andlinger's $100 million gift is to create an engineering center to study energy and the environment, focusing on climate change.

Andlinger is chairman of the Andlinger and Company investment firm in Tarrytown in Westchester, New York.

He says he aims to work on technological solutions to climate issues. He calls it a personal and institutional responsibility to create a better world for future generations.

Princeton President Shirley Tilghman says the gift will be the start of $400 million in spending by the university on energy and climate issues.

Princeton has received two other gifts so large in its history.