EAST LANSING - They say where words fail, music speaks.

Well the Michigan State University College of Music may be speechless after a generous gift they just received.

MSU Alum and Okemos resident, Selma Hollander donated $1 million to the MSU College of Music

Hollander and her late husband Stanley developed close relationships with the dean of the college, Jim Forger, as well as other faculty members.

“Selma and Stanley attended all sorts of concerts over the years before he passed away, he passed away about 10 years ago now,” said Rebecca Surian, Senior Director of the Advancement Office.

Hollander knew that giving this gift to the College of Music is something her late husband had always wished for.

“She was extremely excited to do this one million dollar naming opportunity because when Stanley was alive, he just loved Jim Forger and he did tell Selma frequently, ‘If I had a million dollars, I’d give it to Jim.’ So this was a really nice opportunity to honor Stanley, to help students in the vocal arts area and to put her name on another space on campus,” said Surian.

The donation will go towards the music pavilion and make renovations to classroom 120, which Surian said is currently too small.

The $1 million donation will increase the square footage of the room by 40 percent.

The future recital hall will be named after the Hollanders and have a number of uses.

“It will primarily used for voice students, for opera rehearsals, as well as choral performances. It will also serve as a high tech classroom during the daytime and it will also serve as a student recital hall in the evenings and weekend,” said Surian.

The project will include two architecture teams, the on-campus infrastructure planning and facility team as well as a construction company.

There is not an exact timeframe for when the project will begin.