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Tuskegee University Alumni donate record-breaking $4.1 million
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Tuskegee University Alumni donate record-breaking $4.1 million
Crystal Drake18 September 2026
5 minute read
Eminent Associates show off impressive donation with Dr. Mark A. Brown at the BTW Monument
Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Strategic Communications
The giving society’s leaders say Renaissance Era strategy created momentum for historic gift.
At the recent Fall Convocation, Lula Whigham-Marable ‘60, outgoing Chair of the Eminent Associates, Tuskegee’s donor society, presented a check for $4,183,926.56, representing the donor society’s FY 25–26 giving—more than triple the previous year’s total.
“This unprecedented and truly extraordinary financial support from our Eminent Associates is a resounding affirmation of our mission to equip every Tuskegee student to compete and win in the global economy,” said Dr. Mark A. Brown ‘86, president and CEO. “I am grateful to Mrs. Marable for her unyielding vision and to each donor who joined with us in Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era to reach this extraordinary total to support every aspect of student success at Mother Tuskegee.”
Incoming Eminent Associates Chair retired Col. Sandra V. Richardson (left) and and outgoing Chair Lula Whigham-Marable (right)
Both leaders are certain that the $4.1 million total is deeply inspired by Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era led by Dr. Brown. This reimagined and modern interpretation of Tuskegee’s founding principles is striking a chord with alumni across generations they said. Like him, Eminent Associates are vocal advocates for the lived experience of a Tuskegee University education. They are also clear-eyed about what it will take to support Tuskegee’s growth in today’s challenging landscape, including federal loan assistance guidelines that have put a college education further out of reach for more students.
Tuskegee’s Eminent Associates giving society now includes more than 5000 alumni and friends nationwide. Members meet each fall on the eve of Fall Convocation where, earlier this month, Retired Col. Sandra Richardson ’78 stepped into the role of chair.
Marable insists on talking about this historic gift not in terms of her leadership but as proof that focused, collective effort rooted in purpose is how transformative change happens.
“My energy, my focus is always our students,” she said. “And Dr. Brown’s leadership has a lot to do with why the Eminent Associates felt a need to rise up for our alma mater,” she said, adding that fellow Eminent Associates are genuinely connecting to “The Renaissance Era.”
Dr. Mark Brown calls for standing ovation following the announcement.
“We want to see Tuskegee move into the Renaissance Era,” she said. I believe we have the greatest students in the world – they are so bright and so kind, it gives me chills – they are my motivation. As long as we have our students in focus, they will do great things.”
Marable became a contributing alumna soon after graduation. She became Vice President of the New York Chapter Alumni Chapter, heavily involved in fundraising.
“Tuskegee alums love each other, we put our arms around graduates,” she said, urging new alums to find a local chapter and get involved.
One of the Renaissance Era’s primary tentpoles is career readiness, including required real-world experience through internships and Marable says it maps to the same Tuskegee she remembers.
“Tuskegee prepared me to get a job anywhere in the U.S. as a nurse,” she said. She moved to New York to work as a nurse immediately following graduation having worked there her junior year in a nursing internship.
Outgoing Chair Lula Whigham Marablle makes the announcement.
Marable is also excited about the new leadership Col. Richardson will bring.
“I will be at her side to continue to help my alma mater,” she said.
Even as she passes the baton to Col. Richardson, Marable plans to continue advancing the strategy she thinks was instrumental in the historic increase in giving this past fiscal year – increasing the percentage of alumni who give. She is certain that as more alumni get, and stay, consistently engaged at some giving level, the cumulative effect will be substantial.
“We can mushroom that number,” said Marable. Her goal is to reach 52% of total active alumni giving. “I believe it will happen.”
Col. Richardson believes it, too.
The fifth of six children born in tiny Beatrice, Alabama, Col. Richardson rose through the ranks of the U.S. Army to lead teams at the Pentagon. She knows something about believing, hard work and the excellence they can produce.
“Our Eminent Associates momentum will continue with the excellent leadership of Col. Richardson,” said Dr. Brown who has known her for many years, long before he returned to lead the university. “I know her genuine love for Mother Tuskegee and am highly confident in her ability to lead us forward.”
Col. Richardson retired from the U.S. Army in 2006 with over 28 years of service. She held various command and staff financial management positions throughout her career and in July 2009, was appointed by the Obama Administration as Deputy Under Secretary (Resource Issues), Office of the Under Secretary of the Department of Defense, now Department of War (DoW) Comptroller, serving eight years. She led day-to-day implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and led a team that monitored the implementation of DoW's efficiencies.
She plans to apply this same level of unwavering commitment to her new role as chair. Her thinking aligns with Marable’s strategy to grow financial support through a wider collective donor pool.
“I think of my vision in two words, enhance and elevate,” she said. “My goal is to enhance every alumni’s understanding and appreciation for sustained support to Tuskegee. That’s the key – to sustain giving over time. And to elevate more people into this. More people rather than concentrating only on large dollar amounts.”
“My love for Tuskegee has always been deeply embedded in me. My passion for Tuskegee is palpable,” she said of her allegiance to the university inherited from several relatives who attended.
She thinks this alumni connection is also reflected in Dr. Brown’s “renewed sense that we need to get together for our Mother Tuskegee.”
She believes many alumni feel this way and, as chair, plans to encourage more of them to become Eminent Associates.
“We are committed to increasing Eminent Associate giving because we want students to have everything they will need to face anything they will be confronted with,” she said. “We don’t get to deal the cards. We have to play them.”
