Paul family donate $25,000 to History department

The Southern University Department of History has received a $25,000 thanks to an endowment through the Southern System Foundation from Brenda and Greg Paul.
The Pauls attribute the contribution to a combination of identifications with the institution, personal relationship with the history department faculty, and a quite capable executive director of the Southern System Foundation.
“We did it [made the donation] because we have lived with worked with, and socialized with Raymond Lockett and Don Hernandez,” said Brenda Paul and continued, “I believe in our black universities and the strength of their teachers, and I want to take part by insuring we see it go forward.”
The executive director of the Southern University system Foundation, Dr. Ernie Hughes was praised as the catalyst in the endowment acquisition.
“Dr. Ernie Hughes has played a significant part in insuring that this donation was collected and if it were not for him we would probably not even have donated the money,” said Mr. Paul.
Hughes claims that the endowment is part of his plan to show alumni that their money is going to good use.
“Mr. and Mrs. Paul are good people and very awesome Southern supporters, and show growth in my goal to bring back more friends and alumni to contribute,” said Hughes.
“It is my goal to enhance the accountability, integrity and service of the System Foundation,” said Hughes.
The history department, the beneficiary of this bulky monetary contribution, is quite pleased and looks forward to utilizing the funds in order to insure the continued success of the students.
“I feel great about any donation, especially a donation of such a large amount,” said Lockett, chair of the history department. “I hope to be able to utilize the funds before the fall of the 2008 academic year. I will appoint a committee and will get their input on the direction to take. Although, it is my hope that we can utilize most of this money on scholarships for students.”
The Pauls both attended Southern University; Mrs. Paul received both her baccalaureate and masters at the Southern Baton Rouge campus.