Howard University Alumnus Pledges $5 Million to Alma Mater

WASHINGTON
During Howard University's Charter Day ceremonies held in early March, Howard Alumnus Frank Savage, chairman of Alliance Capital Management International and chairman of the Howard University Board of Trustees, announced a $5 million pledge to the university, which would be the largest donation from a Howard alumnus. 
"I am truly blessed that my wife and I are able to do this," Savage said as he introduced his sister, Frances, and two of his aunts "who helped prepare me for this level of success." 
The university's Charter Day activities raised $10.6 million, more than double its $5 million goal, with dinner sales generating approximately $3 million, and corporate/individual gifts and pledges for the evening totaling nearly $7.6 million. In 2000, the university exceeded its goal of $2 million by raising more than $3 million at the dinner.
Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert says that the Charter Day celebration was the "most successful single fund-raising event in the university's
history."
Mr. Earl G. Graves, Sr., publisher and chairman of Black Enterprise and Howard University trustee, served as the general chairman of the Charter Day Dinner Committee. Nearly 2,100 university alumni and corporate guests attended the program, which featured the presentation of Distinguished Alumni Awards to Dr. Ebenezer Bush in the fields of dentistry and public service; actor, producer, writer, director and activist Dr. Ossie Davis in the fields of fine arts and mass communications; Dr. J.C. Hayward in the fields of community and public service; and Luther M. Stovall in the field of fine arts. Renowned historian Dr. John Hope Franklin was the convocation speaker.
Charter Day commemorates the signing of the university's congressional charter which was enacted on March 2, 1867.