Deese College Announces $50K Donation from Vanguard for COVID Relief

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 1, 2020) – The Deese College of Business and Economics at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has received a donation from Vanguard to help with the impact of COVID-19.

Vanguard, one of the world’s largest investment management companies, announced today that it has provided $50,000 in direct emergency support to N.C. A&T to ensure students and faculty have access to virtual learning tools, mental health support, and tuition assistance.

“We are grateful for Vanguard’s partnership with our school and their generous donation to Deese College,” said Carletta Simmons, senior director of development for the Deese College. “Vanguard’s support will help provide resources we need for our college, faculty and students who are experiencing hardships as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In addition to A&T, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Hampton and Howard universities all received a donation from Vanguard. The firm also contributed $100,000 to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s COVID-19 HBCU Emergency Fund.

“Vanguard is proud to partner with North Carolina A&T,” said Crystal Hardie Langston, Vanguard’s chief diversity officer. “Historically Black Colleges and Universities play an important role in educating some of our nation’s most promising students, and we are dedicated to helping provide the resources necessary to weather hardships resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Vanguard has a long history of partnering with HBCUs and has developed a comprehensive recruiting strategy designed to reach underrepresented communities. The firm has established long-term commitments with marquee partnerships and conferences, including the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Leadership Institute and the HBCU Career Development Marketplace.