Huston Tillotson University in Austin Texas is celebrating a milestone that will forever change its future after receiving a 150 million dollar donation from the Moody Foundation. The gift is the largest in the school’s 150 year history and also the single biggest donation ever made to a Historically Black College or University in the United States.
The announcement came during the university’s convocation ceremony and was met with cheers from students and faculty. University President Melva K Wallace described the gift as transformational, saying it will allow the institution to expand opportunities for students, upgrade facilities, and strengthen its long term stability.
Plans for the funding include construction of new residence halls, a crucial step since the school currently has limited student housing. Academic buildings and laboratories will be modernized, scholarships will be expanded to ease the financial burden on students, and new endowment support will ensure Huston Tillotson continues to thrive for generations to come.
For students, this donation means more than infrastructure. It represents a commitment to their success and recognition of the vital role HBCUs play in American education. Alumni and community leaders have praised the gift as a turning point not only for the university but for the broader movement to invest in Black institutions of higher learning.
The Moody Foundation stated that the donation reflects their belief in Huston Tillotson’s mission and the potential of its students. The gift will be distributed over ten years, ensuring steady growth and development. With just over one thousand students currently enrolled, the university is expected to expand its reach and impact significantly in the coming decade.
This moment is a celebration of history, progress, and the promise of education. As Huston Tillotson enters its next 150 years, the record breaking donation stands as proof that investment in students and their dreams can reshape entire communities.