AKA contributes $100K to support scholarships at Alabama A&M

Alpha Kappa Alpha regional director Adrienne P-K Washington, at left, presents $100,000 to support scholarships at Alabama A&M University to A&M President Andrew Hugine Jr. and First Lady Abbiegail Hugine. Trustee Velma Tribue, far right, joins the audience in thunderous applause. (Photo/Jerome Saintjones)

NORMAL – Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in the Southeastern region have presented $100,000 for scholarships to Alabama A&M University.

AKA is oldest Greek-lettered sorority founded and incorporated by African-American women.

Adrienne P-K Washington, AKA’s 24th Southeastern regional director, presented the check in tribute to the late Harriet Terry, a longtime A&M faculty member who was among the founders of the prestigious sorority.

A&M President Andrew Hugine Jr. accepted the $100,000 check from Washington during the university’s 139th Founder’s Day observance and class reunion celebration on May 2.

“This remarkable gift definitely raises the bar,” Hugine said. “It is indeed a shining example of the type of commitment that must be undertaken to ensure that the legacies of the founders of A&M and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority continue.”

“Their gift demonstrates their commitment of service to human kind,” he said.

Archie Tucker II said the A&M staff strives diligently to keep the costs affordable for a quality education. Tucker is interim vice president for marketing, communications and advancement.

“The importance of scholarships cannot be overstated,” Tucker said. “We are grateful to the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization for its vision, tenacity and foresight.”

The sorority also presented $5,000 to support the Legacy Lake project, spearheaded by A&M First Lady Abbiegail Hugine. Legacy Lake serves as a symbol of honor to spouses of future university presidents.

Washington has worked for the donation since she assumed her office with AKA in July 2010. The idea developed into a full-fledged initiative after the region funded the existing requirements of the organization’s Education Advancement Foundation.

Washington said she and several fellow AKA members “went through our point of elation some three weeks earlier when reviewing the budget to see if we had made it.”

AKA’s Southeastern region includes Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi with 104 chapters.