DSU has been featured in the below op-ed authored by Nicholas Lambrow, Delaware regional president of M&T Bank, a corporate partner of the University. The op-ed was published in the News Journal on Nov. 1.

DSU serving as national model for effective giving to education

Private giving to higher education in America reached a record high in 2015, totaling $40.3 billion in giving. The numbers are up primarily as a result of a few major donations made to well-financed schools. But there is also an emerging trend of the private sector funding institutions that focus on underserved communities and develop the workforce of tomorrow.

In fact, here in the First State, Delaware State University is achieving much success with this approach and is making education available to a wider range of the public. As Delaware’s only historically black college, (HBCU), founded as a land-grant institution in 1891, Delaware State has since its inception served as a beacon of accessibility.

But its recent ability to attract significant funding is at the core of an evolving national transformation of the support of education. Under the direction of university president Dr. Harry Lee Williams, the school recently announced the successful conclusion of its five-year Greater Than One: Campaign for Students, which raised $20 million. Money from this initiative will be used specifically to help students address the financial challenges associated with staying in school.

That comes on the heels of the school securing a $1.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation which recognizes the university’s personal Individualized Development Plans (IDPs) for each and every entering freshman. This funding allows for a tailored academic experience to ensure student success while building on the university’s commitment to increase the four-year graduation rate and achieving an 80 percent retention rate by 2020. This process also includes counseling, tutoring, and virtual services for any student who may need assistance.

Through accessibility, Delaware State is serving as a national model for private sector support of education. That’s why M&T Bank recently established the M&T Scholars Program that committed $50,000 to help Delaware State University students with the cost of higher education. This scholarship opportunity is available to any full-time student that meets the criteria of a minimum 2.5 GPA, is native to the U.S. and demonstrates financial need.

We’re confident in our investment in Delaware State University, an institution that is doing great things as evidenced by its support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and others. We believe corporate communities can provide a real and lasting impact by making educational opportunities available to those who otherwise would not have them.

Nicholas Lambrow is the Delaware Regional President, M&T Bank.