The estate of an Albany State University alumna has bequeathed a gift worth more than $400,000 for what is believed to be the largest ever endowment benefiting the university's College of Education.

The late Delores Carter Jackson of Columbus, who earned her education degree at Albany State in 1961, was a strong advocate and supporter of ASU throughout her life, said Clifford Porter, Albany State University vice president of institutional advancement.

"Mrs. Jackson was always concerned that the quality of education that she received be maintained at her alma mater," Porter said this week. "She would often call the campus to make inquiries about various issues on campus."

Jackson left much of her estate to the Albany State University Foundation to be endowed for students studying in the College of Education. Her estate, valued at more than $400,000, included an investment portfolio and real estate, Porter said.

ASU College of Education Dean Kimberly King-Jupiter said the gift will help the college produce the next generation of "fierce and phenomenal" teachers needed to serve the region.           

"The College of Education is very grateful for Ms. Jackson’s gift. To my knowledge, Ms. Jackson’s gift to the College of Education is the largest in our history. It will be used to support scholarships for students in our college with a particular emphasis on students from the Columbus area," King-Jupiter said.           

"This gift aligns nicely with our college’s strategic focus on reducing students’ economic challenges so they can focus on their development as educators. It is my hope that this is the first gift of this size that our college receives. Each one of us, whether we have children or not, are impacted by the quality of teaching in our communities. Fierce and phenomenal teachers lead to improved student learning outcomes that directly impact the skills that workers have, the likelihood that a student can further their education, and the ability that a person has to contribute positively to this region," she continued.

Jackson, who earned a master’s degree from Fort Valley State University after graduating from Albany State, worked in and retired from the Muscogee County School District and was co-owner of the Econoclean Commercial Cleaning Services.  For more information, call the ASU Office of Institutional Advancement at (229) 430-4660.