Alcorn awarded $50k from Home Depot Retool Your School campus improvement grant program
Alcorn State University is among 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities awarded money from Home Depot's Retool Your School campus improvement grant program; a total of $50,000 was awarded to the university for HBCU renovation projects. The winners were announced during a ceremony Monday at The Home Depot Store Support Center on 2455 Paces Ferry Road in Atlanta, Georgia. Former NFL player and Savannah State University alumnus Shannon Sharpe was the keynote speaker at the event, which also included comedian and radio personality Rickey Smiley and actor Laz Alonso, also HBCU alumni.
"We are thankful to our many students, employees, alumni, and friends who supported our efforts by voting to help Alcorn claim one of the 2019 Retool Your School grants," said Alcorn Interim President Dr. Donzell Lee. "This award is well deserved and will greatly enhance our campus."
To strengthen the game day experience, Alcorn will use the funds to build a pagoda near the softball park. Additional upgrades to the facility including lights and sound will be constructed using other sources.
Now in its 10th year, Home Depot’s Retool Your School Campus Improvement Grant works to make campus upgrades, including eco-friendly classrooms, refurbished basketball courts, and updated health clinics.
Since 2009, the program has awarded $2.1 million in grants to HBCUs.