Bennett College for Women May 16, 2015 Bennett College Awarded Donation Totaling $724,000 During Annual Gathering Many alumnae came together at Bennett College this weekend reminiscing about life at Bennett College, trading stories on the college's traditions and rekindling bonds formed during their early years in college. The group also came together to raise funds for the college. More than $724,000 was raised during Bennett College National Alumnae Association Alumnae Weekend. Among the gifts were $80,000 from the class of 1966, the 50th year class, and a $50,000 donation from former Philadelphia Councilwoman and Alumna Marian B. Tasco, a member of Bennett Class of 1960. "Alumnae Weekend is our homecoming and is a very special time of the year for our Alumnae," said Bennett College National Alumnae Association President Deborah Love. "Our love for our Alma Mater is greatly demonstrated by our continuous support with our time, talent and treasure." "Our alumnae are very proud of the Bennett College experience and they show their appreciation through their financial support," said Bennett College President Rosalind Fuse-Hall. "We are extremely proud of our alumnae and their level of support." The surprise gift came from Tasco, who served the 9th District in Philadelphia as a city council woman for seven consecutive terms. The idea surfaced during her retirement celebration that was held in December 2015. Tasco told the more than 1,200 elected officials, labor leaders, community leaders and constituents then that any net proceeds remaining from the celebration would be donated to Bennett College. Tasco, formerly national president of the Bennett College National Alumnae Association, presented the college with a check totaling $50,000 at its All-Bennett Luncheon during its Alumnae Weekend. "My heart remains with Bennett College," said Tasco. "The only reason I left Bennett was I could not afford to pay the tuition." Tasco was the daughter of a single teenage mother who was raised by her grandmother. "I lived in Greensboro and grew up on the campus of Bennett College," said Tasco. "I really wanted to stay there, but just did not have the money. I am hoping that the donation will help to provide scholarship dollars for young ladies with similar backgrounds so that they can complete their education." Tasco is widely recognized as one of Philadelphia's most influential, politically savvy, and proactive public officials. Elected to serve her seventh term as City Council Representative in November 2011, the councilwoman represented more than 155,000 residents in Philadelphia's northeast and northwest areas. Her love for Bennett has been demonstrated in many ways through the years, including through her service as past chair of the Board of Trustees for Bennett College. As chair, she helped to orchestrate the appointment of Dr. Johnetta B. Cole as the 14th President of Bennett College. Tasco attended Bennett College in Greensboro and completed her studies at Temple University, receiving a bachelor's degree in business education. She came back for her 50th reunion, but always said she wanted to do more. Yet, there were many others at Bennett's Alumnae Weekend with special stories that surfaced. It was more than 60 years ago when Charlotte Osgood Brown, a 1956 graduate of Bennett College met, Gertrude Davis Millner, also a member of Bennett's Class of 1956. Millner met her husband at Brown's wedding and they have remained friends throughout the years. Their husbands were graduates of Morehouse and they all connected. This weekend Millner and Brown were roommates once again as they supported their alma mater during Alumnae Weekend. View Press Release<http://www.bennett.edu/articles/2016_05_16_bennett_college_alumnae_giving/bennett_college_alumnae_giving.pdf> SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-592-4820 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/ 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 150 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.