MacKenzie Scott donates $50 million to support student success at CUNY’s Lehman College in the Bronx
THE BRONX (WABC) — A new era of opportunity is in store for students at Lehman College, part of the City University of New York after the institution received a historic $50 million donation.
The gift from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation was announced at the Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx on Thursday morning.
The celebration featured a big fake check, but the amount on it is very real.
“I’ve never had someone cold call me and say, ‘hey, I have $50 million bucks, are you interested in accepting the gift?’ It was so cool, very much so, I’m very interested in receiving the gift,” Lehman College President Fernando Delgado said.
The signature MacKenzie Scott tells the story.
Scott, who is the former wife of billionaire Jeff Bezos, has pledged to give away her fortune. Her philanthropic foundation has donated billions to HBCUs, tribal and community colleges serving minority populations.
Half of Lehman’s 14,000 students come from families earning less than $30,000 dollars per year, according to college officials.
“This school has been so great to me. I’ve been able to grow so much as a person. I’m so glad that I chose it,” student Lisbeth Martinez said.
Brittany Lazano, another student, says she has felt supported at Lehman to pursue her academics, all while being a full-time mother.
“It’s hard to go to school as a parent of two. I have to work as well, but I’m still able to go for my bachelor’s degree and still be able to have a day care services on campus,” Lazano said.
Thursday’s announcement felt like déjà vu all over again for the CUNY campus. Five years ago, the foundation gave the school $30 million. The donation on Thursday is a reward of sorts for the college’s success.
In 2024, Lehman opened an $85 million nursing building, complete with a state of the art simulated hospital floor. A business school previously opened on campus in 2022.
“This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t clear that it’s a key anchor institution in the Bronx serving the Bronx and New York City,” CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said.
Scott’s gift comes with no string attached — to use as the college sees fit.
As with the previous award, most will be invested in an endowment fund. Administrators say that will give them flexibility to award scholarships and increase aid amid the threat of federal cuts.
A gift that will keep on giving at Lehman College.
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