WILBERFORCE, Ohio — Central State University's new president, Dr. Jack Thomas, knows the importance of historically black colleges and universities, and that is why he has already donated part of his own salary to create a new scholarship for students struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thomas started as the new president on July 1, and he has donated $50,000 of his salary to the new scholarship. He is hoping for his gift to be matched, leading to $100,000 in donations to help students struggling during the pandemic.
He also created a committee to help get through the pandemic. Right now, CSU's plan is to reopen in the fall with additional hand sanitizer and face masks available to students and staff, as well as encouraging social distancing.
Thomas said the family environment of HBCUs is what makes them special.
"Institutions like Central State... were established because students could not get an education, were not allowed to, at some of the majority institutions," Thomas said. "I feel that at HBCUs it gives you that extra push... more like that family type of environment."
For more information about the fund, click here.
