Giving
university advancement
DONORS RAISE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS TO CELEBRATE LOVE FOR AKA, NCCU
HEN MEMBERS OF THE ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY INC. decided in 2017 to create a scholarship endowment fund at North Carolina Central University, the initial fundraising requirement of $25,000 seemed a vast sum. In a short time, however, the group exceeded that goal and set a new, bigger one – $100,000 – with plans to announce the achievement at Homecoming 2020. Again, the sorority members exceeded expectations, said Tania B. Davis, ’94, co-chair with Vicki Hussey, ’92, of the NCCU AKA Scholarship Committee. “We gave ourselves five years to raise $100,000, but it only took three,” Davis said. “We raised the largest chunk the first year, and it has been harder with the economic downturn. The last few months were a challenge.” However, a social media push early in the summer put the goal within reach. “We were putting messages out on a frequent basis to remind our members,” Davis added.
NCCU Advancement Services Director of Annual Giving Kara Endsley celebrated with the group when the good news arrived in mid-July. “The members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. have worked hard and stayed focused on their fundraising efforts to leave a legacy at NCCU,” Endsley said. “We are excited this scholarship will be available for deserving students.” Co-chair Hussey said raising funds for scholarships was a way of celebrating love for both Alpha Kappa Alpha and NCCU. “Establishing an endowment is a very important investment to benefit students who want to excel academically, compete globally, take advantage of internships and, more importantly, become gainfully employed upon graduation,” she said.
Pictured above: Initiates of the Alpha Chi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. gathered in 2017 to celebrate the 85th anniversity of the NCCU chapter.
54 I NCCU NOW I FALL 2020