Clark Atlanta University’s efforts to continue creating an impactful experience for its students are being aided even more thanks to a whopping donation.
On July 17, Clark University — one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) —announced that it received a gift of $1 million from Chick-fil-A, Inc., according to a press release. The gift was presented by Carol Waddy, Clark Atlanta University alumna, and director of community affairs for corporate social responsibility at Chick-fil-A, during the university’s 34th annual commencement on May 20.
The $1 million is set to be distributed over the next two years, the press release states.
“Chick-fil-A’s generous commitment of $1 million is an investment in the bright futures of Clark Atlanta University students and will help ensure that we continue building on our mission of delivering education that is accessible, relevant, and transformative,” Clark Atlanta University President Dr. George T. French, Jr. shared in a press statement.
“With partners like Chick-fil-A, our vision of being a leading institution of higher learning that impacts society through transformative, educational experiences is within reach,” he continued. “At Clark Atlanta, finding a way or making a way is a community endeavor.”
Chick-fil-A’s support pours into Clark Atlanta University’s $250 million capital campaign. Announced in February 2022, the campaign’s initiatives seek to “cure prostate cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, create new pathways in cybersecurity, create new avenues of entrepreneurship and to find new ways to eradicate social and racial injustices,” per a press release. What’s more, it aims to support scholarships, student success, teaching, research, service, infrastructure, technology, the CAU endowment, programs, centers, and special initiatives.
In addition to Chick-fil-A’s gift, Clark Atlanta University received a $2.5 million gift from the William F. Pickard Foundation. The intent is to create a scholarship fund and rename Beckwith Hall in honor of Dr. William F. Pickard and Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., the press release notes.
