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Alabama A&M University (AAMU) has announced a $500,000 grant from Alabama Power. According to the historically Black college and university (HBCU), the funds will be used to support an extended reality lab that combines augmented and virtual reality; visual collaboration classrooms that feature multi-touch, multi-user software; and, virtual desktops.
“We are very pleased to receive this generous grant from Alabama Power and Southern Company,” said Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., president of AAMU in a statement. “During these challenging times, especially with the coronavirus pandemic having changed the way we serve our students, this grant will help us improve our technology capabilities and continue to innovate to meet the needs of the current and future students of Alabama A&M University.”
AAMU said the $500,000 gift will immediately impact its nearly 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
“Alabama A&M appreciates the long-standing partnership with Alabama Power and Southern Company. This gift will bring exciting and cutting-edge technologies that build upon the investments already made across the campus,” said Archie Tucker, II, vice president for marketing, communication, and advancement.
The college said the gift is part of Southern Company and its subsidiaries’ $50 million HBCU Initiative, a funding strategy announced in January 2020 that provides HBCU students with scholarships, internships, leadership development, and access to technology and innovation to support career readiness.
Alabama A&M is the largest producer of Black science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) graduates in Alabama. Alabama Power and Southern Company’s long-standing partnership with Alabama A&M includes providing decades of scholarship, programmatic, employment, and athletic support.