ALUMNIGIVING A survey I administered approximately ten years ago disclosed that many university students were $30,000 to $40,000 in debt because of the costs of education loans. According to The Washington Post, within the past year, Howard University, Hampton University, Morehouse College and Spelman College have received the lion’s share of gifts given by noted philanthropists. We must redouble our efforts as alumni to expand the brand of NCCUs so that all of our students benefit from corporate sponsorship. Indeed, we are proud of the recent $5 million commitment by Intel for the next five years to enhance the Center for Technology Law and Policy. We are equally thankful to those creating endowments like the Diageo endowment.
Why I Support HBCUs
BY FRANK S. TURNER Retired Vice-Chair, Ways and Means Committee, Maryland General Assembly Professor Emeritus, School of Business, Morgan State University
Fifty plus years ago, I arrived at North Carolina College the summer of my freshman year. I was only 16 years of age and was somewhat frightened and did not know how I would fare in college. My father told me he was only paying for four years and firmly advised me that I’d “better finish on time,” which I did. As a former police officer and later the assistant director of state personnel, his words reminded me to maximize the opportunities presented. I often remembered his words and I pursued my career goals.
Each of us has a role to play. Small, consistent donations are critical to any organization. I have augmented my efforts to support institutions that educate our youth. According to the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, there are 107 HBCUs — 56 institutions of which are private and 51 are public. The future of some of these institutions may be at risk if substantial dollars are not invested in new and innovative programs, existing viable programs and allocated to improve physical plants. These institutions need our financial support to remain competitive and to survive I started an endowment as a seed and legacy of giving and giving back. The business community want to see alumni invest their dollars in their institutions. Individual investment encourages businesses to open their pocketbooks even wider. I want to do my part and I am urging alumni to include donations to NCCU in their annual budgets and estate planning. I challenge alumni to even create an endowment fund within the Law School that will serve as a leg up to many first generation lawyers. I owe North Carolina Central because I was provided a great education, a loving family, a productive career, and many lifetime friends.
The overall cost to attend my first year was about $900. A lot has changed since my freshman year. Today, tuition and fees cost is $6500 a year. Add books, room and board, and the cost jumps to $25,000. The source of funding to operating a public institution generally comes from federal funds, state funds, and some local funds, and tuition and gifts to the institution. Students take out substantial loans to pay tuition. Many of these student loans require payments to begin within six months of graduation. Repayment of these loans can delay college graduates’ ability to buy a home and/or deny them needed investment capital. 62
| NCCU SCHOOL OF LAW • OF COUNSEL MAGAZINE
ALUMNUS FRANK TURNER ENJOYS QUALITY TIME WITH SONS AND GRANDSON. LEFT TO RIGHT: HAROLD (SON), TRAVIS (SON), TERRENCE (SON), FRANK SR., GRANT (GRANDSON) FRANK II (SON) AND BRANDON (SON)
