Alabama A&M donors honor the University through fundraising efforts

NORMAL, Ala. (WHNT) — Alabama A&M University is celebrating a milestone after completing its most successful fundraising efforts during homecoming festivities.

Donors came together and raised $2.5 million, breaking last year's total of more than $1 million.

The Brick Deli's historic mural in downtown Decatur will soon be covered up

Homecoming, the university says, is a rite of passage.

While the event brings the bulldog family together, the Delta Delta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated was just one of several organizations that gave back to the hill in a major way.

"I know that people made a sacrifice to give back to the university and I am committed to keeping it going," said Pamela McDonald, chairperson of Delta Delta. "My sorority sisters and we just want to make sure that we reach back and help this generation that's coming and that's moving forward."

The funding will be used to support students, the university and its faculty and to implement more stem technologies to go along with the university's record freshman class enrollment.

"When alumni come back, and they see the growth on campus and they've heard about the enrollment, we've increased our presence tremendously on social media and they are responding to that," said Jamal Ali, public relations spokesperson for the university. "They are kept abreast of what we're doing and when we're trending positive in enrollment and new construction and donor engagement law, it leads to an increase in donations, and we are very proud of that."

McDonald told News 19 that she and her sorority sisters are products of the fundraising efforts with scholarships from AA&M.

"It's important for us to give back to the university because it has given so much to us. The truth is in the statement start here, go anywhere," said McDonald.

Alabama A&M University encourages supporters of the university to donate to their 150th campaign.