FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC (August 31, 2018) – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is pleased to see The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS) award $8.6M in much-needed preservation grant dollars authorized by Congress to eighteen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in nine states.
According to the National Park Service, Interior Secretary Zinke’s Historic Preservation Initiative for HBCUs “was established to identify, and restore those historic structures on HBCU campuses considered to be the most historically significant and physically threatened. It was also established in direct response to the needs of many of the historically black colleges and universities, which faced critical rehabilitation needs, but lacked the resources to repair these buildings.”
TMCF has consistently supported increasing congressional appropriation funding for these historic preservation projects. “This is another example for all to see that the TMCF model of direct bipartisan advocacy with the United States Congress and the Administration is effective and working, “said TMCF President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams. “We appreciate the Bipartisan HBCU Congressional Caucus and the National Park Service for working to preserve these historic pieces of American History for many years to come.”
List of TMCF Member-School Grant Recipients:
| HBCU Grant Recipients | Project | State | Amount |
| Howard University | Founders Library Handicap Accessibility Renovation | District of Columbia | $500,000 |
| Delaware State University | Preservation of Historic Loockerman Hall | Delaware | $500,000 |
| Fort Valley State University | Renovation of the Historic Bywaters Building | Georgia | $470,000 |
| Harris-Stowe State University | Rehabilitating the Vashon Community Center | Missouri | $500,000 |
| South Carolina State University | Preservation of Wilkinson Hall | South Carolina | $500,000 |
| Virginia State University | Preservation of Vawter Hall | Virginia | $493,815 |
| Virginia State University | Preservation of Storum Hall | Virginia | $274,278 |
| Total | $3,238,093 |
Note: Dr. Harry L. Williams, TMCF president & CEO, is available for further comment.
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ABOUT THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community. TMCF member-schools include publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Publicly-supported HBCUs enroll over 80% of all students attending HBCUs. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education spaces. The organization is also a source for top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs.
TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit: tmcf.org.
