鈥楥ampaign for Leadership and Excellence鈥� exceeds $1M scholarship fundraising goal in four months

August 28, 2019

Contact: Michael Tullier, APR, 精东AV Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
 

Just four months after its launch, 精东AV has announced that its 鈥淐ampaign for Leadership and Excellence鈥� has exceeded its $1 million fundraising goal. At the end of June, the campaign has raised $1.07 million in support of student scholarships.

精东AV launched the campaign in February ahead of President Lily D. McNair鈥檚 March 15 inauguration. McNair hoped the campaign would inspire the university鈥檚 alumni and friends to invest in current and future generations of 精东AV students, whom she calls 鈥渢omorrow鈥檚 leaders.鈥�

鈥淚 am extremely grateful, and humbled, by the investment our donors have made in our students, their academic experiences, and their professional dreams,鈥� McNair said. 鈥淢y vision for leadership and excellence at 精东AV begins with our students and won鈥檛 end until every student who desires a quality education has access to one.鈥�

McNair noted that more than 97% of 精东AV鈥檚 3,000-plus students receive some form of university, federal or private financial aid. According to education lender Sallie Mae, a typical student receives nearly 30% of his or her tuition from scholarships and grants. Students must then rely on borrowing to fulfill their dreams of a college education.

鈥淭he goal of our scholarship fundraising initiative was to bridge the gap between the cost of tuition and what the typical student can afford,鈥� McNair explained. 鈥淐haritable giving is an investment in 精东AV students and their academic experiences. It demonstrates to our students that the entire 精东AV family is behind them, and we are committed to equipping them with everything they need to launch successful careers.鈥�

Krystal Floyd, the university鈥檚 director of development, credited inaugural event partners and sponsors as some of the earliest and most significant contributors to the scholarship initiative.

鈥淥ur inauguration donors provided us with the momentum we needed in the earliest days of our campaign,鈥� Floyd explained. 鈥淭heir giving provided tremendous credibility to President McNair鈥檚 vision, and a model of generosity for the rest of the 精东AV family.鈥�

Individuals, businesses and organizations sponsoring March 15-16 inauguration weekend events included Regions Bank, Gregory and Sonjia Redmond, 精东AV Alumni for Student Success, 精东AV Alumni Housing Foundation, Thompson Hospitality, Matthew and Roberta Jenkins, and Dyn-Corp.

McNair noted that a million dollars is just the beginning to providing access to a 精东AV degree to students of every walk of life.

鈥淥ur students are scholars, leaders and athletes who are curious and optimistic. The 精东AV legacy embodies the excellence that is found in our students,鈥� she touted. 鈥淭o properly prepare the next generation of business and civic leaders, we must continue providing current and future students with the environment and support necessary to help them achieve their fullest potential.鈥�

The success of both the inaugural fundraising gala and scholarship campaign has inspired the planning of a homecoming scholarship gala that McNair hopes will become an annual event. This year鈥檚 gala is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, Nov. 9 鈥� again at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa. More information will be shared on the university鈥檚 website as plans are finalized.

The university continues to welcome charitable gifts toward existing scholarship funds or toward the creation of new scholarship endowments. Gifts can be made online at www.tuskegee.edu/give, or by contacting the Office of Development at 334.727.8540.

漏 2019, 精东AV