An anonymous donor, with no known prior connection to the university or the region, has given the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) the largest gift in its history: $2.3 million. The donation came with very few strings attached, save one: use the money to support students.
UDC President Ronald Mason Jr.
UDC President Ronald Mason Jr. said that the gift will allow students "from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups the opportunity to pursue their educational goals without financial burden."
“UDC students come from a wide range of backgrounds, and their varied perspectives diversify and strengthen the workforce,” said Mason.
According to UDC’s data, more than 70% of its student population is Black, and the average student age is 27. Many students work full time, and their futures were severely impacted by economy in the wake of the pandemic.
UDC, the only public higher education institution in D.C., has an endowment worth about $65 million, a fraction of its private neighbors American University, Georgetown University, and The George Washington University. Their endowments are currently $884 million, $1.6 billion, and $2.41 billion, respectively.
UDC is unique among HBCUs and other public institutions because it doesn’t just house a four-year program—it also has a graduate school, a law school, and a community college with its own workforce development and lifelong learning program. Scholarships created from the donation will be accessible to all of these, except UDC Law.
