Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
The University of Missouri Kansas City received a $2.4 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration for programs to increase diversity among students in its nursing school. The program will provide scholarships of up to $10,000 per year to men, African Americans, and members of other minority groups.
Xavier University, the historically Black educational institution in New Orleans, received a three-year, $330,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support its “Creating a Culture of Reading” program.
Historically Black Virginia State University received a $150,000 grant from Dominion Virginia Power for a “Green Roof Initiative” that seeks to improve building energy efficiency and for the sustainable use of water for irrigation.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a historically Black educational institution in Princess Anne, received a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for programs to increase the number of women teaching and studying in STEM fields.
The United Negro College Fund received a three-year, $3 million grant from Wells Fargo & Company that will be used for scholarships for students at UNCF member institutions and for programs to better prepare middle and high school students for the rigors of a college curriculum.
It is a beautiful and inspiring thing to see not one, but two of my beloved Alma Maters receive ground-breaking grants to foster innovation and prepare our students to compete globally. I am proud of all recipients of these prestigious gifts, but congratulations especially to Virginia State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, two universities from which I have attained degrees– institutions that remain on the cutting edge of science, technology and the environment. Keep on keeping on–we are very proud!