Tuskegee, Alabama - When Wendell Codner stepped onto the campus of Tuskegee University in the fall of 1982, he felt an immediate sense of community.
“The campus was a refreshing experience,” he said. “There were many international students on campus when I was there. Professors were helpful and accessible. I genuinely enjoyed my years there.”
Just two years later, the Jamaica native received a bachelor's degree in Agribusiness from Tuskegee. He was able to complete that degree in two years after transferring credits from the Jamaica School of Agriculture, now known as the College of Agriculture, Science, and Education (CASE). After graduation, he would move to Pennsylvania to pursue a career with FMC Corporation, an agricultural science company located in Philadelphia. Living in the northeast was different for Codner. He had to adjust to a culture he was not familiar with, but he credits Tuskegee University with giving him the skills he needed to adapt to the change.
“I was maximally prepared for life in corporate America. Tuskegee University prepared me for it,” he said.
Now, 41 years later, he is giving back to Tuskegee University, the place that primed him for his future. Codner’s $500,000 commitment will help create opportunities for future generations of students, ensuring his legacy continues through their success.
“I’ve always wanted to give back to the community that shaped and molded me,” Codner said. “I wanted this gift to be agricultural-centric, and I wanted it to be impactful in such a way that students who are coming to Tuskegee to matriculate into Tuskegee University’s College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutritional Sciences and then to Tuskegee's College of Veterinary Medicine, where they would earn their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and return to Jamaica to help in the agricultural livestock industry, where there is really a need for veterinarians. This helps with that country’s issues of food security and will contribute to Jamaica’s economy.”
Codner’s gift coincides with a memorandum of understanding signed this summer, between CASE and Tuskegee University that will prepare students to enter the advanced veterinary program at Tuskegee. According to the agreement, students will complete three years of coursework at CASE and one year at Tuskegee to complete a bachelor's degree in animal and veterinary science. They will then complete an additional three years at Tuskegee to earn a DVM degree. University leaders also believe this agreement creates an opportunity to increase international representation in Tuskegee.
“Tuskegee University extends its gratitude to Mr. Codner for his generous gift and his dedication to strengthening our endowment,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown ’86, President and CEO. “This commitment perfectly aligns with Tuskegee’s mission to train graduates who will solve the world’s most complex problems.”
A champion for HBCUs, Codner’s contribution is fueled by his belief that institutions like Tuskegee are critical to the success of our students.
“One of the reasons I wanted to contribute to Tuskegee is because I firmly believe that for African American students, having their first degree from an HBCU will provide grounding for them to face the broader world,” he said.
Codner is no stranger when it comes to philanthropy. He often donates to other causes, especially those connected to his church in Jamaica. Helping people makes him happy. Just as important, he says, giving is crucial to sustain Tuskegee for years to come.
“Philanthropy must be a part of the fulcrum of this university’s existence,” he said. “For it to be sustainable, there needs to be actively engaged alumni and an aggressive push for financial support that will fund Dr. Brown’s vision of solving the world’s most complex problems. ”
Codner encourages Tuskegee students to adopt a culture of giving and work hard to ensure lifelong success.
“It is important that students learn as much as they can,” he said. “There is no such thing as ‘over-learning’ Always shoot for the sky, and if you end up in the clouds, you are still up high.”
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