Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife, Nicole, are contributing $250,000 to Johnson C. Smith University students to help them overcome financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scholarship funds will benefit as many as 70 returning students who demonstrate financial need. All of the funds will be used to help students return for the 2020-21 academic year.
“This is an important first step in our relationship with Johnson C. Smith. I’ve visited the university and met with (university president) Clarence Armbrister," Nicole Tepper said. “We want to make a difference.”
The Teppers say that providing deserving minority students with access to a high quality, affordable college education is integral to closing the inequality gap. Johnson C. Smith is predominantly made up of minority students.
Armbrister said the gift will allow students to continue pursuing their dreams of earning a college education while also helping the school prevent a decrease in enrollment as the university navigates the operational challenges in higher education at this time.
