Clark Atlanta University President George T. French announced a $15 million donation from novelist and philanthropist, MacKenzie Scott — the single largest private gift in the history of the university.
Scott, who is reported to be the 18-richest person in the world, also gave to another HBCU today. Baltimore’s Morgan State University also received a record-breaking donation from Scott for $40 million. In total, Scott has given more than $4.1 billion in four months after announcing her plans to give $1.7 billion in July.
“I am extremely honored to receive this gift,” French said. “This transformational gift will enable the University to strengthen our academic programs; support academic innovation initiatives; enhance our campus infrastructure; provide scholarship support; and build on our endowment.”
The ex-wife of Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, gave Morehouse College and Spelman College a “magnanimous” gift of $20 million to both institutions in July.
“Economic losses and health outcomes alike have been worse for women, for people of color, and for people living in poverty,” she said in a post on Medium. “Meanwhile,” she continues, “it has substantively increased the wealth of billionaires.”
Her post announced that Scott has given to over 384 organizations across the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington D.C. this year including The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, The United Negro College Fund, and 26 Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
The ex-wife of Amazon CEO, Jeff Bezos, gave Morehouse College and Spelman College a “magnanimous” gift of $20 million to both institutions in July.
French said the gift will be used to strengthen academic programs, retain and recruit talented faculty, provide more scholarships to students, and renovate several buildings and residence halls on campus.
“With additional financial resources, the university can continue to strengthen academic programs, retain and recruit talented faculty, provide more scholarships to students, and renovate several historic buildings and residence halls on campus,” French said.
