Posted on August 24, 2008

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Spelman College Receives Anonymous $17 Million Gift for International Programs

Spelman College in Atlanta has announced a $17 million gift from an anonymous donor to establish an endowment that will strengthen and expand its international programs.

The Gordon-Zeto Endowed Fund for International Initiatives will be used to infuse the curriculum, campus environment, and extracurricular offerings with an international component. Named after Nora A. Gordon (class of 1888), the first Spelmanite to teach in the Congo, and Flora E. Zeto (class of 1915), one of the first Congolese to graduate from the college, the endowment also will provide support for senior leadership and oversight of international programs; support the Nora Gordon Scholars program, which will provide study abroad opportunities for students eligible for Pell grants, with first priority given to those interested in studying in Africa; and support the Gordon-Zeto Fund for Faculty/Student International Travel, which will provide short-term study abroad opportunities.

In addition, the fund will be used to bolster existing programs, such as the Africans in the Diaspora and the World seminar program, the international relations program, and the Model United Nations team. Allocations also will be made to support new and existing initiatives with an international focus and international recruiting efforts.

"The twenty-first-century transformation of the college includes not only sending our students out into the world, but welcoming students from other countries to Spelman," said president Beverly Daniel Tatum. "The addition of students from Africa will serve to further educate and prepare the Spelman community for global engagement."

“Anonymous Donor Gives Spelman $17 Million for International Initiatives.” Spelman College Press Release 8/18/08.

Primary Subject: Education
Secondary Subject(s): Higher Education, International Affairs/Development
Location(s): Atlanta, Georgia, International

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