This Tuskegee, AL-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has received a whopping donation.
According to a news release, an anonymous donor has donated $20 million to Tuskegee University, which is going toward developing STEM programs and applied research.
“This gift will allow us to invest in our students, faculty, programs and infrastructure, enabling us to enhance our academic reputation, enrich the student experience, and continue our work to reach milestones within our strategic plan,” Tuskegee University President Dr. Charlotte P. Morris shared in a statement. “It will provide additional resources for us to implement vital initiatives, further securing the campus, and foster a more dynamic community.”
She continued, “We are grateful for this extraordinary act of philanthropy, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on our university and its community. This contribution is a testament to our collective efforts and the enduring trust inspired by the Tuskegee legacy.”
In addition to having a focus on STEM, Tuskegee University will use the donation for endowed scholarships and faculty leadership positions, improvements of on-campus student affairs and security, and matching a United Negro College Fund (UNCF) pooled endowment fund.
The recent donation matches the one provided by MacKenzie Scott in July 2020. According to a news release, the 2020 investment was Tuskegee University’s largest single gift in its history. At the time, the university announced that the philanthropist’s donation would support areas such as increasing student access, curriculum development, reinforcing signature programs, and advancing research and innovation.
“This gift comes at an opportune time for us,” Lily D. McNair, former president of Tuskegee University, shared at the time, per the news release. “We are about to launch a five-year strategic planning effort and, with this investment from Ms. Scott, we will be able to unfold the next phase of our mission in ways we simply could not have considered before.”
She added, “The gift will allow us to become the Tuskegee of the 21st century – a university that integrates knowledge, leadership and service to solve the problems of a global, modern society.”
