Contact: Kawana McGough, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Today, ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½University alumnus and trustee Jonathan Porter '95 presented the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½University Marching Crimson Pipers Band with a $50,000 donation through Alabama Power to support Phase II of the MCP Band fundraising initiative, which will provide instruments needed for the band's performances.
Porter graduated cum laude from ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½University in 1995 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. He is a member of the Board of Trustees and currently serves as the Senior Vice President for Customer Operations for Alabama Power Company in Birmingham, Alabama.
Alabama Power has been a strong partner of ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½University for several decades. Just this year alone, Alabama Power has contributed $175,000 to the University.
"Alabama Power is pleased to support the work that Dr. Morris has begun at Tuskegee," said Trustee Porter. "The Marching Crimson Pipers are an important part of the '¿Û¿Û´«Ã½experience,' and I am happy that through the support of Alabama Power, we can contribute to the ongoing efforts to enhance and maintain the Marching Crimson Piper band's legacy as the oldest HBCU band."
In the Spring of 2020, alumnus and trustee Erik Harris '08 initiated Phase I of the MCP Fundraising Campaign, a campaign to fund new band uniforms. The giving opportunity raised nearly $90k in a few short months. In November, the band members debuted the new uniforms during the 97th Turkey Day Classic game against Alabama State University.
"Music from the band has always made an unforgettable atmosphere, setting the tone for ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½games," said President Charlotte P. Morris. "Our ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½ deserve to have the best resources and tools to excel academically and in their co-curricular activities."
Currently, many of the band members must provide their instruments. With the average price of musical instruments ranging from $1,500 for a piccolo and up to $7,500 for a tuba, this donation comes at an excellent time to kick start one of the University's current year-end giving opportunities. In addition, scholarship support has been increased for band members beginning in Spring 2022.
To support the ¿Û¿Û´«Ã½University Marching Crimson Pipers Band fundraising initiative, visit , where you can make your gift online.
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