Here is video from today's surprise announcement. Oprah Winfrey donated $13 million to continue the Oprah Winfrey Scholarship Program, pushing her total investment to $25 million, which is the largest endowment in the College’s history. pic.twitter.com/5tcs6Pfu5m
— Morehouse College (@Morehouse) October 7, 2019
The 47 scholars in attendance, whom she called “sons,” each gave Winfrey a rose, and the school unveiled a portrait to honor Winfrey for her support.
Over the past three decades, Winfrey’s endowment has funded the education of almost 600 scholars, giving them opportunities for global experiences that open their classrooms to the four corners of the world, according to Morehouse President David A. Thomas.
Winfrey pledged to continue to fund the program so it could support the education of future men of Morehouse, the school said in a statement.
“I understand that African American men are an endangered species. They are so misunderstood. They are so marginalized,” Winfrey said.
Winfrey’s donation comes less than a month after fellow billionaire Robert Smith extended his pledge to erase college debt for the school’s 2019 graduating class. The philanthropist also vowed to pay off debt amassed by parents to send their children to the college.
Smith and his family donated $34 million to a fund to erase student debt for parents whose children attend the college, the school said in a release last month.
source:cbsnews
