Morgan State University alumnus and retired UPS senior executive Calvin E. Tyler Jr. and his wife, Tina, have announced a $5 million scholarship donation to MSU. The gift is for an endowed scholarship fund established in their name at the university. The fund provides needs-based scholarships that cover full tuition for select Morgan State University students who live in the Tylers’ hometown of Baltimore City.

David Wilson, Morgan State president, said that the incredibly generous donation from the Tylers will help ensure the success of Morgan’s mission and benefit the youth of Baltimore City.

Calvin Tyler was the first person in his family to attend college in 1961 when he began at Morgan to study business administration. In 1963, his funds were depleted so he had to pause his higher education. He took a job as one of the first 10 drivers at UPS during the company’s early day. He worked hard to climb the corporate ladder. Eventually, he became senior vice president of operations and went on to retire form the position in 1998.

Tyler isn’t the only student who had to take a step away from his higher education to earn some money: Graduation rates at HBCUs are on the decline. One reason is because HBCUs receive just a percentage of government money compared to non-HBCUs. Another reason is that congress has reduced the length of Pell grants – something many HBCU students rely on.

Tyler, referring to the donation, explains that he wants to be able to reach back and help others have success in life. He said he has two major things he wants to achieve with the endowed scholarship fund: to see as many young people graduate with a degree as possible, and to help more students obtain a college degree and graduate without debt.

A nationally known philanthropist, Tyler explains that Dr. Wilson comes from a humble background and can relate to young people who don’t have the resources to get a college education, but are academically qualified to attend.

Morgan State University is Maryland’s Public Urban Research University. It serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and strives to ensure that all individuals have the opportunity for higher education.

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