Thank you, Franklin Johnson-Norwood!
2025 Endowment Report
Greetings from University
Advancement at VSU!
When you created your endowed funds, you made an investment in the future of Virginia State University and our scholars. As one of America’s first fully state-supported public Historically Black Colleges or Universities, VSU has been transformative in its mission for over 144 years. Your endowed fund honors this storied legacy and ensures that future generations of Trojans can continue to achieve excellence.
Guided by our commitment that "Greater Happens Here,"Â your support provides the vital resources that enable our students to thrive as global leaders and innovators. We are excited to present this comprehensive endowment report for the 2025 fiscal year and express our deepest gratitude for your continued generosity and partnership.Â
Class of 2004 Endowed Scholarship Fund
Virginia State University Accolades & NewsÂ
Honors College Named for Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Charlie W. Hill '66
A lifelong champion of student success, he established the Charlie Hill Leadership Institute at VSU to prepare students to lead with confidence, character, and purpose. In naming the Honors College in his honor, VSU celebrates a legacy that will inspire its brightest scholars for generations to come.
VSU Named Home of the Don Scott High School Leadership Program
Virginia State University's John Mercer Langston Institute (JMLI) has been selected as the home of the newly launched Don Scott High School Leadership Program. Fully funded for all admitted scholars, the program is a selective civic leadership initiative announced by Virginia House of Delegates Speaker, Don Scott.
Accounting Students Offer Free Tax Services for the 39th Consecutive Year
Virginia State University accounting students have partnered with the IRS to provide free tax preparation and electronic filing through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program — serving low-to-moderate-income and elderly Tri-Cities residents while giving students invaluable, real-world professional experience.
VSU Points of Pride
VSU Ranked Highly
Amongst HBCUs
VSU climbed 12 spots in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 HBCU rankings, rising from #23 to #11 — the single largest increase of any HBCU on the list. This remarkable leap reflects the University's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, student success, and institutional growth. This milestone is a direct result of the collective investment of students, faculty, staff, and supporters like you.
Alfred W. Harris
Academic Commons
VSU opened the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons, a 175,000-square-foot facility that stands as the largest and most transformative building in the University's history. It is home to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education, providing students and faculty with world-class learning environments. Investments from our donor community make transformative projects like this possible.
Governor Abigail Spanberger Visits Campus
Virginia State University welcomed Virginia's first female governor, Abigail Spanberger, to campus in February 2026 for a visit highlighting the University's College of Agriculture Governor Spanberger toured Randolph Farm before addressing students at the Multi-Purpose Center on the importance of education, leadership, and public service. The visit underscores VSU's growing relationship with state leadership and its commitment to preparing students for a greater future.
2025 VSU Enrollment Stats
Breakdown of Our 5,754 Trojans
VSU's student body reflects the university's growing impact and inclusive mission. From new Trojans finding their footing to returning students advancing toward their goals, our enrollment tells the story of a thriving HBCU community built on access, excellence, and opportunity.
Our Top 6 Undergraduate Majors
VSU students are pursuing degrees that matter — from understanding the human mind to coding the future. Our top undergraduate majors reflect both the diverse interests of our student body and the university's strength in preparing graduates for high-demand, high-impact careers.
What is An Endowed Fund?
An endowed fund is a permanent, selfÂ-sustaining source of income. Endowed assets are invested, and each year, a portion of the value of the fund is paid out to support the fund's purpose. Any earnings in excess of this distribution are used to build the fund's market value. In this way, an endowed fund can grow and provide support for its designated purpose in perpetuity. When an endowed fund is established, a permanent legacy of support is created for Virginia State University.
Endowment Process Flow
Memorandum Agreement
Signed & Filled
The signed MOU is submitted to Advancement Services. If the threshold isn't met, a holding account is created alongside the endowment account.
Accounting establishes both accounts as applicable.
Solicit & Receive Donations
Gifts are sent to Advancement, payable to the University/Foundation. Chapters remitting payments must include a donor list for alumni to receive soft credit.
Gifts are processed by Advancement Services using provided account information.
Management & Reporting
Endowment donations are pooled for investment. Reports are issued twice yearly (March for Dec. period-end; September for June period-end).
On-demand reports require 7 business days minimum.
Largest Gift in VSU's
144 Year History
Virginia State University received the largest gift in its 144-year history when renowned author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $50 million to the University. The gift places VSU among a select group of institutions to have received transformative philanthropic investments of this magnitude, reflecting the growing recognition of HBCUs as vital engines of opportunity, research, and community impact.
The $50 million gift will directly fuel VSU's mission to transform lives through education, expanding the University's capacity to serve students at the highest level. From academic programming and research initiatives to student support services and campus infrastructure, the investment will accelerate progress across every dimension of University life.
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Thank You For Supporting Our Students
Thank you immensely for steadfastly supporting our endowments at Virginia State University. Your ongoing commitment ensures the sustainability and growth of our institution, empowering generations of students to pursue their academic aspirations.
Your support of the endowment has made a positive and lasting impact on the quality of the experience for our students, enabling them to pursue their passions and dreams. On behalf of our current students and those who will follow in years to come, please accept our warmest thanks for your generosity and vision. You are, indeed, helping us continue to rise.
Greater Happens Here
Willis W. Walter, PhD
Vice President, External Relations & Institutional Advancement
Virginia State University
wwalter@vsu.edu