DALLAS — Paul Quinn College, a historically Black college in southern Dallas, has received the largest donation in its 152-year history.
The school received a $20 million grant from a private donor, officials announced Thursday. The grant “ushers in a new era of opportunity for students,” a press release from Paul Quinn College said.
“The impact of this gift on our institution and our students, staff, faculty, and alumni cannot be overstated," Paul Quinn College President Dr. Michael Sorrell said. "This moment belongs to every Quinnite who toiled in the vineyard hoping and praying that a moment like this one would come. We will be eternally grateful to the donors who made this possible. We will never forget them or their faith in our work.”
The college said the donation will go towards furthering students’ education and other areas including:
Expand the school's ability to provide scholarship support for students.
Significantly increases the college’s endowment fund.
Establish an endowed faculty chair for the college's banking and finance program.
Bolster the school's fundraising and philanthropy program.
Expand their Office of Development.
Support the Every Quinnite is an Entrepreneur Program.
Support the upkeep and maintenance of the College’s physical plant.
Enhance the school’s outdoor collaborative learning spaces.
This is not the first time the college has received a large gift. In May, 2024 graduates were given two free roundtrip tickets to any domestic destination from Dallas-based Southwest Airlines.
The private, faith-based college was founded in 1872 by a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church Preachers. It is the only minority-serving and federally recognized work college in the U.S., the Paul Quinn College press release said.
The original purpose of the school was to educate freed slaves and their families, but the purpose has gradually changed over the years. It now educates students of all races and socio-economic backgrounds under their community-focused education initiative of We over Me, according to the college.
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