Alcorn State University received its largest single gift since being founded 154 years ago, officials at the HBCU announced Tuesday.
A $42 million unrestricted donation was made by philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It’s Scott’s second major gift to the university in recent years after previously donating $25 million in 2020.
“Today marks a historic moment for Alcorn State University as we celebrate the largest single donation in our university’s history,” Alcorn State University President Dr. Tracy M. Cook said in a release. “We are immensely grateful for Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s continued investment in Alcorn, our students, and mission to create access.
“I also extend my deepest gratitude to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters who champion our mission every day. Your unwavering commitment and belief in Alcorn State University make milestones like this possible.”
Scott’s gift to Alcorn State four years ago supported faculty endowments, scholarships, and capital projects aligned with the university’s strategic plan. Dr. Marcus D. Ward, senior vice president for institutional advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation, Inc., said Scott’s latest gift will accelerate “student success, campus sustainability, and enrollment growth.”
“We are deeply grateful to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott for her commitment and confidence in Alcorn,” Ward said. “Receiving another record transformational gift within five years, this time [a] $42 million gift, is both a powerful affirmation of Alcorn’s impact and a charge to all Alcornites to help accelerate our work for student success, campus sustainability, and enrollment growth.”
Alcorn State leadership will work with the ASU Foundation to invest and allocate the donation across strategic campus priorities, the release added.
“This gift opens a new chapter for Alcorn State,” Cook said. “We will use every dollar to support students, strengthen the university, and serve Mississippi and the nation for generations to come.”
Founded in 1871, Alcorn State is the nation’s first public, historically Black, land-grant university. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across an array of subjects through its campuses in Lorman, Vicksburg, and Natchez.
Scott is a novelist, philanthropist, and early contributor to Amazon. She was previously married to Jeff Bezos, the co-founder of Amazon. She was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in 2020 and one of the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes in 2021 and 2023.
