Brenda A. Allen, president of Lincoln University, and Tony Allen, president of Delaware State University, are leading their institutions as both schools prepare to receive direct funding from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).
Delaware State University and Lincoln University are among eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) selected by the TMCF to receive funding aimed at strengthening campus operations and enhancing research capacity. This multi-year initiative is supported by a $25 million investment from the Lilly Endowment Inc. and focuses on fostering innovation and institutional growth at HBCUs.
Each institution selected for this grant will receive targeted funding to implement strategic improvements. Delaware State University and Lincoln University will each be awarded $2 million.
Other universities chosen for this funding include Alabama State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University, Southern University and A&M College, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Virginia State University.
Named after the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, the Fund represents 55 public HBCUs across 24 states and has provided over $500 million in support to its member institutions and students.
“When we invest in HBCUs, we invest in the future of our nation,” said TMCF President and CEO Harry L. Williams in a statement. “These grants ensure that our campuses have the resources and infrastructure needed to remain competitive, to produce world-class research, and to prepare the next generation of leaders who will shape industries and communities across America.”
### Delaware State University’s Vision: eHBCU
Delaware State University plans to use its grant to support **eHBCU**, a new digital learning platform and online university designed to increase access to historically Black colleges and universities. The platform offers online undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in fields such as computer science, education, healthcare, business, and fashion.
Students will benefit from mentorship by industry professionals, career support from HBCU alumni and faculty, and access to scholarships and financial aid resources. Headquartered at Delaware State, the eHBCU consortium includes Alabama State University (Birmingham), campuses of the Southern University System in Louisiana, and Pensole Lewis College in Detroit, Michigan.
Founded in 1891, Delaware State University is a public, historically Black, land-grant research university located in Dover, Delaware.
“With eHBCU, we have a unique opportunity to reach tens of thousands of students in a new way that combines an excellent education with a focus on community service, career-focused curriculum, and the unmatched student experience of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Delaware State President Tony Allen.
“While eHBCU is open to everyone and working hard to create broad access, we also know that there are 500,000 African American online learners in the country, and only 20,000 of them are pursuing their credentials, certifications, and degrees at an online HBCU,” Allen added.
“This investment, along with Blue Meridian Partners, will help us reach several target audiences who want the HBCU experience wherever they are in the world.”
### Lincoln University’s Commitment to Excellence
Lincoln University will utilize its grant to expand innovation, enhance academic excellence, and improve student achievement. The funding supports the university’s goal of strengthening its national reputation as a leading liberal arts institution.
Founded in 1854, Lincoln University is the oldest degree-granting HBCU in the country and is located in Oxford, southern Chester County, Pennsylvania.
“Through this initiative, we are not only expanding our capacity, but we are also cultivating an environment where our students can thrive, lead, and become catalysts for global change,” said Harry Stinson III, Lincoln University’s interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement.
“It’s a strategic step forward in reinforcing Lincoln’s position as a premier liberal arts institution committed to excellence, leadership development, and empowerment,” he added.
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