Former Central State president donates more than $50K to college

A former leader of Central State University has donated $51,000 to the school through the African-American Community Fund of The Dayton Foundation.

The money, donated by former CSU president John Garland and his wife Carolyn Farrow Garland, will go toward student financial needs, community activities and the endowed chair named in honor of Garland, according to the school. The initial gift of $51,000 will establish a fund in their names, according to a press release.

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Garland, who is a 1971 CSU graduate, retired from Central State in 2012 after serving as president for around 15 years, according to the university. He was succeeded by current president Cynthia Jackson-Hammond.

“Alumni support is critical as it creates a giving point of reference for current students, sets the example for alumni and supporters, and provides financial backing for academic and non-academic activities that are not financed by the state,” Garland said in a prepared statement.

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Under Garland’s leadership, the university opened eight new buildings including its College of Science and Engineering, according to the school.

In recent years, Central State struggled financially because of enrollment declines and students’ difficulty in qualifying for federal financial aid. CSU’s financial position improved last year though as the state removed the school from fiscal watch.

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