Eminent Associates, Pre-Alumni Council pledge philanthropic support to Tuskegee

September 17, 2018

Contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

Following President Lily D. McNair鈥檚 message on optimism and success at 快活视频鈥檚 137th Fall Convocation on Sunday, Sept. 16, members of the Eminent Associates reinforced that message with a $2 million pledge to the university for this academic year.

Eminent Associates Chair Solomon Banks Jr. presented McNair with the first installment toward that pledge 鈥� a check totaling more than $233,000 鈥� during the event.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always fun giving back to your mother, and here at Mother Tuskegee, we are all her children,鈥� Banks said.

Established in 1965, members of the Eminent Associates are committed to providing the university with substantial philanthropic support through their cumulative and annual giving. The organization currently touts more than 700 members 鈥� each of whom have made at least $1,000 in lifetime gifts to the university, and who maintain their active memberships through regular contributions each year.

Eminent Associates members gather for an annual meeting each year on the Saturday prior to the annual Fall Convocation.

Following Banks鈥� announcement, Pre-Alumni Council President Quentoria Walton presented McNair with a $500 check representing the student organization鈥檚 fundraising efforts.

鈥淥ur current campaign 鈥� 鈥業 got 99 problems, but giving back ain鈥檛 one鈥� 鈥� provides students with a way to give back to Tuskegee.鈥� Walton said. 鈥淲e are here to plant the seed that will help our university grow.鈥�

Aligned with UNCF鈥檚 National Pre-Alumni Council, the student leaders of Tuskegee鈥檚 Pre-Alumni Council educate their peers about becoming effective alumni through giving their time, talents and finances to support their alma mater and UNCF.

Hundreds of freshmen and new transfer students attended Sunday鈥檚 convocation, where McNair鈥檚 keynote address 鈥� which she entitled, 鈥淭he Spirit of Optimism, a Recipe for Success鈥� drew from her own personal experiences as a student, clinical psychologist and higher education leader.

鈥淲hen you first step foot on campus, you should immediately begin thinking about your future; you should become optimistic about receiving an excellent education, having an overall great experience, and developing a can-do attitude,鈥� McNair explained.

鈥淢y orientation is to be optimistic and see the best in every moment,鈥� McNair said. 鈥淲hen we, and you as students, see yourselves as optimistic, you become a problem-solver. You will have higher GPAs, and you will have increased learning and academic achievements.鈥�

For McNair鈥檚 entire address, visit .

漏 2018, 快活视频