University President Confident of Meeting Bill Cosby Challenge

University President Confident of Meeting Bill Cosby Challenge

WILBERFORCE, Ohio
Central State University officials are confident they will meet a challenge from comedian Bill Cosby to raise $750,000 for scholarships in exchange for a benefit performance.
Cosby challenged officials at the historically Black university during a campus visit in September. He asked Central State President John Garland how much the university could raise, and Garland told him $500,000. 
“He (Cosby) said, ‘That’s way too low. You’re thinking way too small. If you raise $750,000, I’ll come. And if you don’t raise it, I’m going to embarrass you and I won’t show up,” Garland recalled.
Garland announced last month that the university has raised $600,000 toward the goal, and he said he is confident that the university can surpass $750,000.
The April 25 performance of “An Evening with Bill Cosby” will be at the Schuster Performing Arts Center in Dayton. Ticket prices for the black-tie event have not been set.
Garland and CSU officials said the Cosby challenge got its biggest boost from a $250,000 contribution from philanthropist and former Iams Co. owner Clayton Mathile and his wife, Mary Ann.
Money raised will go toward student scholarships and will support the university’s college of education, Garland said.
Cosby’s support for the university dates back to at least the 1980s. He received an honorary degree from Central State in 1986. The school’s mass communication center is named for Cosby and his wife, Camille. 
—  Associated Press

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