In light of MacKenzie Scott‘s $25 million donation to Bowie State University, the school’s National Alumni Association President Darren Swain has launched the “384 Alumni Challenge” which calls for 384 alumni to donate $100 each to the association.
The “384” was chosen to signify the number of institutions across all 50 states assisted by Scott’s $4.2 billion charity spree.
Swain created the initiative to increase financial support to the university and its students. All donations received will be used to ensure that more generations of students will have continued access to quality education despite the pandemic.
Generosity During Times of Adversity
The coronavirus outbreak has severely threatened the financial stability of higher education institutions in the US. Colleges and universities have faced sudden expenses such as tuition refunds and strict sanitation costs required as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To further add to the burden, revenues have decreased due to a decline in student enrollment and substantial budget cuts by the state.
While the government has approved a stimulus bill amounting to $23 billion for higher education, generous individuals like Scott showed their support by donating to several US colleges. Scott’s donations have helped more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities and other schools that cater to Native Americans and rural students.
Bowie State University was among the schools that received the money which was nearly triple the amount of its original endowment fund.
“We are so grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her vision that will help transform Bowie State University,” said Bowie State President Aminta H. Breaux after receiving the donation. “This gift underscores the urgent need for support of higher education for marginalized communities, as well as BSU’s strong and distinctive position to make a dramatic difference.”