Maryanne Trump Barry is a federal judge who sits on the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania.
She said in a statement released by the Jesuit university in Connecticut that the gift is to express gratitude for the accomplishments of the Rev. Jeffrey P. Von Arx, who is stepping down after 12 years as Fairfield's president.
She cited in particular the founding of the Center for Ignatian Spirituality in 2014.
"I am sad for this loss to Fairfield," Barry said, "and pray for the continuation of the Jesuit mission and the Jesuit identity, which Father von Arx has not only preserved, but has so successfully championed over these twelve years."
Von Arx and Barry met during their time at St. Ignatius Loyola Church in New York, a Fairfield spokeswoman said.
The university said Barry's gift will support scholarships and the spirituality center.