The Epsilon Lambda Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has generously established a $25,000 endowment for Harris-Stowe State University, providing much-needed funding for higher education. This philanthropic gesture will have a lasting impact on the university and its students.
During the check presentation on February 15 at the university, Harris Stowe President, Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith wholeheartedly welcomed the $25,000 award, pledging that the money would be used for the betterment of student scholars and the institution.
Collins Smith said the university is affordable, accessible, and diverse and has the lowest tuition rates in the state. Students can come to Harris-Stowe and earn a quality education. The endowment helps Harris Stowe stay the course and reach a deserving student population.
“We have a robust agenda in STEM (Science, technology, Engineering and Math). Any students who are under-resourced, underserved, and oftentimes underprepared, come to Harris-Stowe to seek a degree in STEM education and other Arts and Sciences,” she said. “So, we are going to continue to be that beacon of light and beacon of hope in the community.
“This donation that you made today, you have sown a seed that will go for generations to come long after we have gone,” she continued. “You have just created a legacy that will continue to educate those students in the metropolitan area who desire to have a college education.”
Abdul-Kaba Abdullah, chairman of the Epsilon Foundation, said a major reason for creating the partnership with Harris Stowe is due to the leadership of Collin Smith.
“When we think about just places where our money not only will be invested well, but a person, and an entity and good leadership that will be a good steward over the money with educating the kids,” he said. “This is what this is about – educating kids. So, aligning with the leadership at Harris Stowe, it is our pleasure to continue to have a deeper impact in the university.”
The fraternity has had a chapter at Harris Stowe called Alpha Eta for nearly 80 years. Abdullah said the Foundation wants to continue the mission of helping young African American men go to high school and college.
Jeff Shaw, Harris-Stowe’s vice president of institutional affairs, said a long-term partnership has been created through the endowment. Shaw said the university does receive money for scholarships. But when they are awarded to students, they are gone.
In contrast, an endowment is an investment in the university, in the school’s sustainability, said Shaw, adding that the university invests those dollars and uses the interest earnings to fund scholarships.
“The university has been around for more than 166 years,” he said. “So, 166 years from now, this endowment will still be funding scholarships.”
Michael L. Ferrer, the 65th president of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter, is not an official alumnus of Harris Stowe. But having been an educator for more than 40 years, he had to take classes at the school to meet certification requirements.
“It is important for us to do this, and our mission of giving and being philanthropists,” he said. “It is important that we give back to the community in which we live and serve.”
The Epsilon Lambda Chapter, in partnership with the Epsilon Lambda Charitable Foundation, continues to work diligently through strategic planning and partnerships with community partners and organizations to maintain and secure funding sources and revenue to support national and local programs.
These programs include the issuance of scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools and College Members of Alpha Phi Alpha, funding of the organization’s Mentoring Program, along with community-based initiatives that are led by members of the Chapter. We will continue our programs that include an Annual Virtual College Tour, as well as our recent partnerships with Cancer Research Organizations whose mission is the eradication of this disease.
The endowment announcement comes at a good time for the university, where there has been talk of Harris-Stowe losing accreditation. Collins Smith addressed this during the check presentation.
“The last couple of months as I’ve worked my way around the city and I’ve met with different groups and constituents I want you to hear it from me – Harris so remains accredited by the Higher Learning Commission not only that, but our College of Education remains accredited by the state of Missouri,” she said.
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