North Carolina A&T State University News July 29, 2015 NCCU News: NCCU Receives $306,000 Gift From Microsoft Corp. North Carolina Central University (NCCU) has been awarded $306,481 in products and services from Microsoft Corp. to provide enhanced technology access and upgrades to Microsoft software and products. The in-kind donation covers NCCU Microsoft product server licenses and provides access to Microsoft Project and SharePoint software that can be used for collaboration and improved project management. Key features of the award include: [*] Support for server and database software licensing that supports administrative services. [*] Access to cloud computing so that students, faculty and staff, will have anytime, anywhere access to MS Office. [*] Enhanced web-based collaborative tools that can provide a more efficient and comprehensive approach to committees, teams and special projects that require cross-departmental or campus involvement. "We are extremely grateful for this award and excited about the potential of the Microsoft technology enhancements for the university," said Leah Kraus, chief information officer for Information Technology Services. "Software received through the grant will enhance NCCU's capabilities in providing a premier education for the 21st century scholar." The Thurgood Marshall College Fund - Microsoft (TMCF-MS) Software Grant is offered to select Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). With funding from Microsoft Corporate Citizenship efforts, Microsoft awarded TMCF $8 million to launch the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Technology Initiative for 2013 and 2014. The TMCF included NCCU in its April 2000 comprehensive study of 47 member, publicly-supported HBCUs with technology upgrade needs. Grants were awarded to the TMCF-member schools determined to be best prepared technologically to effectively use and implement software solutions for the benefit of students, faculty, and administration. 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 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 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.