Johnson C. Smith University, the historically black educational institution in Charlotte, North Carolina, was presented with a $35 million grant from the Duke Endowment. The grant is one of the largest grants ever awarded to a historically black college or university.
The grant money will be divided to support several projects. The largest chunk of the money, $25 million, is being used to build a new science center on campus. Some $5.5 million will be used to renovate the Duke Residence Hall on the JCSU campus. Finally, $4.5 million will be used to fund scholarships for JCSU students.
Johnson C. Smith University President, Ronald L. Carter, stated, “I know there are Harvards and the Dukes and the Yales. But you know what, we have a blue ocean that is waiting for Johnson C. Smith University and the Duke Endowment has made it possible to sail.”