The University of Maine announced Friday that it will receive $3.5 million dollars from the estate of a long-time benefactor and arts advocate, Linda Zillman, who died in September.

Her husband, Donald, who died two years earlier, served in several leadership roles across the University of Maine System, and together they have donated millions to Maine’s public universities.

The latest gift includes $2.1 million for the Honors College, the largest-ever one-time donation to that institution, and $1.4 for the university’s art museum.

Five years ago, the couple donated $1.3 million for the construction of five new galleries at the museum, and it was renamed in their honor: the Linda G. and Donald N. Zillman Art Museum — University of Maine.

Museum Curator George Kinghorn said in a statement that the Zillmans were extraordinary champions for the visual arts who had an active role in expanding the museum’s capacity to deliver “top-tier contemporary art exhibitions.”

“Through this transformative bequest, Linda Zillman ensures the museum — their shared legacy — will continue to provide the life-enriching experience of viewing original art,” Kinghorn said.

Linda Zillman also played a key role in moving the art museum from Orono to downtown Bangor in 2002, and served on its board for more than a decade, according to a statement from the university.