Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority establishes endowment at Tennessee State University and honors International President and school's leader Dr. Glenda Glover
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee State University is the latest HBCU recipient of financial support from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. AKA continued its commitment of creating a $100,000 endowment at each of the nation's four-year historically black universities and colleges with a donation to Dr. Glenda Glover, who is the leader of both organizations.
An initial gift of $25,000 was presented to Dr. Glover during a bench dedication in her honor by the sorority. The ceremony took place on the TSU campus, where she was joined by sorority members, including former International Presidents Dr. Eva Lois Evans- 24th, Dr. Norma S. White-25th, Attorney Carolyn House Stewart- 28th, Dr. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson-29th and the Board of Directors, along with university staff Horace Chase, vice president of Business and Finance; Terry Clayton, a member of the TSU Foundation Board; and Iris Ramey, associate Vice President for Corporate Partnership and Strategic Initiatives.
“One meaningful part of the AKA Leadership Seminar in Nashville is the $100,000 commitment for an endowment from Alpha Kappa Alpha to Tennessee State University,” Glover said. “It begins with this initial donation of $25,000 to assist with student scholarships. I'm extremely appreciative to the sorority for this gift."
The gift coincides with AKA’s HBCU Endowment initiative, which looks to award $10 million to the institutions by 2022.
“We are trying to assist students and help retain them to continue with their education,” VP Chase said. “This funding from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is definitely going to be a big plus in helping to accomplish that goal.”
The Executive Director of the TSU Foundation, Betsy Jackson-Mosley, added, “The TSU Foundation is very grateful for the support received from the AKA Foundation for student scholarships. “Scholarships are very important to attract the best and brightest and to help students stay in school.”
All of the former international presidents were on program for the special dedication ceremony. Dr. Buckhanan, presided, while Dr. Evans and Attorney House Stewart provided the meditation and occasion. Dr. White led the litany. The International First Vice President Danette Anthony Reed provided the greetings.
In the litany, the group acknowledged the significant contributions of Dr. Glover in leadership, education, community service and philanthropy.
“As we dedicated this commemorative bench in honor of the 30th International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Dr. Glenda Glover, we take pride in her leadership and the many contributions that she has made to the sorority, Tennessee State University and other noteworthy organizations,” the group said. “May this bench be a permanent reminder of the significant accomplishments of Dr. Glover.”
Glover, the eighth and first female president of TSU, became the 30th international president of AKA in July 2018. Immediately upon taking the helm, she sent a clear message that education would remain a priority for the organization, especially supporting the nation’s HBCUs. She launched HBCU for Life: A Call to Action and signature program College Admissions Process, also known as #CAP, to promote and market HBCUs.
Saying that she leads by example, Dr. Glover donated $50,000 to the sorority’s Educational Advancement Foundation to further emphasize her commitment. She made that same commitment to TSU when she became president of her alma mater in 2013.
The financial support and bench dedication took place during the AKA International Regional Conference that was held in Nashville prior to the sorority's 2019 Leadership Seminar June 27-30 in the city as well.
