VSU gets pledge of $1.5M in largest gift ever from living alumnus

Less than a week after Virginia State University announced it was naming its Honors College after him, Charlie Hill has returned the favor in a major way.

The 1966 VSU graduate and former member of the Board of Visitors pledged $1.5 million to the Ettrick university during halftime of a Feb. 21 home basketball game. In an announcement, VSU called it “the largest total gift ever made to the University by a living alumnus” and referred to the donation as a “transformational moment that underscores the power of alumni leadership.”

In a statement, Hill said he made the donation because of the “foundation” VSU gave him for his four-decade corporate career.

“I want today’s students to have that same opportunity for transformation so their lives can be even richer than mine,” Hill said. “This gift is one way I can help ensure that future generations receive the support and opportunities they need to thrive, and I hope it inspires others to do the same.”

A history of giving back to VSU

The donation is the latest philanthropic move by Hill toward VSU.

In 2015, Hill donated $100,000 to establish the Annase Wilks Hill Minerva Circle Endowment in memory of his wife, who also graduated from VSU. The endowment supports women pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

He also endowed the Charlie Hill Leadership Institute, a student organization that develops students into leaders of their chosen fields.

“Dr. Hill’s historic $1.5 million gift represents an extraordinary investment in the future of Virginia State University,” VSU President Makola Abdullah said in the same statement. “His generosity strengthens our ability to expand academic opportunities, support student achievement, and advance excellence across our campus. We are deeply grateful for his continued leadership and belief in the power of a VSU education.”

Added Willis Walter, VSU’s vice president for external relations, “His investment demonstrates how alumni leadership directly transforms student opportunity and institutional growth. We hope this historic gift inspires others to join us in advancing the future of Virginia State University.”

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at [email protected] or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: VSU gets pledge of $1.5M in largest gift ever from living alumnus

Reporting by Bill Atkinson, Petersburg Progress-Index / The Progress-Index

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