June 28th 2024.
Livingstone College is celebrating an incredible milestone - the school has just received its sixth generous $1 million contribution! This isn't just a one-time occurrence either, as it marks the second donation of this magnitude in less than a month. As one of the country's leading private historically Black colleges and universities, Livingstone is making great strides towards achieving its renovation goals thanks to a mystery donor who has once again stepped in to support the school with a sixth $1 million donation.
Heading the charge for the college's ambitious $30 million campus revitalization project is Dr. Anthony J. Davis, the 13th president of the institution. With a focus on providing top-notch education in fields such as business, liberal arts, STEAM, teacher education, and workforce development, Livingstone is committed to creating a modern and vibrant campus for its students. The new funding will be put towards the renovation project, which will be completed in five phases. The first phase will see the construction of new residence halls and a cafeteria, all of which are expected to be completed by the end of 2024.
President Davis expressed his gratitude for the donation, stating, "We have to roll up our sleeves and make the business case for supporting a private HBCU, so that's what we're doing. When you think about it, buildings and grounds become recruiting and retention tools." These tools, however, are not always readily accessible for students at HBCUs across the country.
According to a 2022 report by the United Negro College Fund's Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, nearly two-thirds of the 37 surveyed HBCUs reported having more than $5 million in deferred maintenance. The U.S. Government Accountability Office also revealed that public HBCUs have an average deferred maintenance of over $60 million. This is a significant challenge for private institutions like Livingstone.
The recent string of donations, totaling $6 million, will have a profound impact on the North Carolina-based HBCU. These funds will continue to drive forward the school's efforts to combat current statistics, as shared by the National Center for Education Statistics, which show that only two HBCUs in the state have seen an increase in enrollment over the past decade.
Despite these challenges, Livingstone's Vice President of Enrollment, Anthony Brooks, remains optimistic. He credits recent initiatives, such as the "Ten City Tour" led by President Davis, for bringing new attention and prospective students to the school. Additionally, these efforts have also resulted in scholarships being offered to potential students. Current students at Livingstone also have access to impressive resources, such as a radio station, planetarium, podcast studio, and a brand new blue football field. And with renovation plans already underway, the future looks bright for the college.
"We added a 34% increase in new students this past year, and we're on trend to outdo that particular increase from the previous year," said Brooks. "We currently have a 23% increase in applications over last year, a 34% increase in admitted students, and a 40% increase in paid deposits this year for the incoming class." He added, "We work with our doors open so students and families can come to campus with questions, and we're able to work with those students, regardless of what they're coming to the campus about. We make it a point to be able to help students."
Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, Livingstone College has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1879 as Zion Wesley Institute by a group of A.M.E. Zion ministers. Although the school has since undergone a name change, its mission has remained unchanged - to provide students with a Christ-centered environment and diverse programs that foster holistic learning.
In other exciting news for the world of HBCUs, Howard University has also received a record-breaking $5 million donation from Autodesk. This is yet another example of the continued support and generosity towards these vital institutions that play a significant role in shaping the future of our nation's students.
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