Great-Grandson of Stillman College's Founder Donates $2 Million

The family who founded west Tuscaloosa's Stillman College almost 150 years ago has made a $2 million gift to its endowment, which leaders say will protect the institution's long-term financial future.

The HBCU was founded in 1876 by the Reverend Charles Allen Stillman, the lead pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, and this transformative gift comes from his great-grandson, Dr. Charles M. Stillman.

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“This remarkable gift from Dr. Charles M. Stillman and his wife not only honors the legacy of Rev. Charles A. Stillman but also propels the college toward a stronger and more sustainable future," said Kimberly Woodard, Stillman's Vice President of Institutional Advancement. "As part of the funds raised during the Alabama Power Community Giving Reception, it reflects the collective commitment of individuals and organizations who believe in our mission to transform lives through education."

Yolanda Page, the President at Stillman College since last July, also expressed her gratitude.

“We are deeply honored by this extraordinary demonstration of faith in Stillman College’s mission," Page said. "Dr. Charles M. Stillman’s legacy is not only one of familial ties but also of visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the values upon which this institution was founded. This generous gift is a testament to the enduring legacy of the Stillman family and its belief in the power of education to transform lives."

Stillman said they would take the $2 million gift and see that it is strategically invested, keeping the seven-figure principal while creating recurring revenue to fund scholarships, faculty development and improvements to the campus.

The man behind the donation, Dr. Charles M. Stillman, lives in Seattle but said he and his wife Susan remain enthusiastic supporters of the College a century and a half after his ancestor founded it.

“Stillman College represents the ideals and aspirations my great-grandfather envisioned when he founded this institution nearly 150 years ago," he said. "My wife and I are honored to play a role in securing its future and ensuring that generations of students continue to benefit from the transformative power of a Stillman education.”

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