MacKenzie Scott, world's 3rd wealthiest woman, donates $15 million to Amarillo College
AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Amarillo College has received the largest gift in its history - courtesy of the third-wealthiest woman in the world.
Tuesday, the school announced it received a gift of $15 million dollars from philanthropist and novelist MacKenzie Scott.
Scott - who divorced Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2019 - has given billions to nonprofits, with hundreds of millions going to community colleges and historically Black colleges and universities, according to AC.
Dr. Russel Lowrey-Hart, the college's president, said the gift caught AC officials completely by surprise.
“This is overwhelming in every sense of the word,” he said. “We are equally elated, stunned and gratified by Ms. Scott’s amazing philanthropy. We are not only grateful to Ms. Scott, we are in awe of her.
Lowrey-Hart said spending for the donation is completely discretionary and will allow them to better work for underserved people in Amarillo.
"This gift will ensure that Amarillo College can freely continue to reimagine education and remove even more barriers for students," he said.
A news release said the school may use the $15 million at its sole discretion and may use it to begin an endowment fund to benefit the school for years to come.
However, it also said the school will carefully consider how to best spend the gift.
