The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) has received the largest donation in its 170-year history — $2.3 million. According to a statement released by the HBCU, the anonymous donation will enable Black, Brown, and economically disadvantaged students to pursue academic degrees. 

The $2 million donation will fund two new scholarship programs, the Deans' Community Leader Scholarships and the Deans' Scholarships by Degrees and Programs. The Deans' Community Leader Scholarship will provide $300,000 over three years for living allowances for students committed to solving community problems.

Both scholarships will be included in the Deans' Developing America's Workforce Nucleus (DAWN) scholarships. DAWN is an initiative at the university focused on identifying and developing unrepresented STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) talent.

"UDC and its predecessor institutions have educated District residents for over 170 years. We are so grateful to the anonymous donor for stepping forward with such a generous gift that will help ensure UDC continues to drive the social mobility of its students and develop the next generation of leaders," UDC President Ronald Mason, Jr said. "Through the newly-created DAWN Scholarships, the gift will allow more students – especially those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged groups – to pursue their educational goals while reducing their financial burdens."

UDC now has the highest ever donation from a private source, exceeding the previous highest of $1.5 million in 2009 from the Hilda H.M. and Charles N. Mason Jr. Trust.