"This business of every tub on its own bottom really doesn't stand up," Alpert said. "Spread it around, don't try to keep every tub."

Citing his own philanthropic history -- and echoing the common refrain of many Harvard fundraisers--the New York entrepreneur said most large donations come from longtime benefactors with a "history of giving."

Alpert contributed $500,000 to the Medical School several years ago to launch a new curriculum, the New Pathway program, that is based on case study methods. In 1987, he endowed the Warren Alpert Foundation Prize, administered by the School and awarded annually to those biomedical researchers judged to have made significant progress toward curing diseases.

And Alpert said his latest donation will likely not be his last, either to the Medical School or to the University.

"I have three things I want to accomplish," Alpert said. "One, I want to survive with good health. Secondly, I want to make a lot of money and thirdly. I want to give at away and thirdly. I want to give a away. In that order"

"Wall [1] continue to help Harvard" he continued "I would take to if they want it.

Tosteson's secretary said the dean was not available for comment yesterday. In a prepared statement, Tosteson called Alpert " a man ahead of the time."

"Today with his splendid generosity for our new research budding. Warren Alpert is leading the way in providing the home for the next frontiers in biomedical research," Tosteson said