SU gets pledge of $10 million
SU gets pledge of $10 million
ARTHUR D. LAUCK/The Advocate
Southern University interim Chancellor Margaret Ambrose, left, looks on as Timbuktu Academy Director Diola Bagayoko speaks Monday during a news conference announcing a $10 million pledge from the Lamar Ellis Foundation for the math and science mentoring academy. Dr. Lamar Ellis, right, and foundation CEO Carolyn Burris, second from right, were on hand for the event. Foundation?s gift goes to academy
By JORDAN BLUM
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Jun 3, 2008 - Page: 1B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.
Southern University received a record $10 million pledge Monday for its award-winning Timbuktu Academy for math and science mentoring.
The gift would be the largest ever given to a single Southern program, university officials said.
The Lamar Ellis Foundation, which gave the money, is new and has never given money to a university before. It was created by a man who was sued and sanctioned by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Ellis is a retired doctor and inventor perhaps best known for a drug and alcohol detoxification system that purportedly works in 15 minutes. He is a self-proclaimed billionaire.
There was no talk of any past problems during a news conference Monday at Southern, when Ellis and his foundation were praised for seeking out the Timbuktu Academy and making the significant pledge.
Diola Bagayoko, physics professor and director of the 18-year-old academy, said the $10 million ? to be paid over five years ? would allow Timbuktu to increase its ninth-grade program, grow its summer bridge program from 20 incoming college freshmen to 200 and triple its undergraduate program.
Bagayoko said the money will help more minority students thrive in math, science and engineering, as well as in life.
Southern has received a check for the first $900,000 installment.
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