Harris-Stowe State University Receives $250,000 from Enterprise

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) announces it has received a $250,000 donation from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Enterprise’s owners, the Taylor family. The gift supports the Hornet Summer Bridge Program (HSBP), a five-week residential experience that provides incoming first-year students with the tools necessary to successfully transition from high school to college. Initially funded by Enterprise in 2015, this gift will fund the Summer Bridge Program for an additional two years.

“With this generous gift, Enterprise continues to demonstrate its dedication to expanding opportunities for on-campus students from our community and from across the country,” said Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, President of Harris-Stowe State University. “We are grateful for Enterprise’s longstanding support, and together, we will make the St. Louis community a better place for all citizens by promoting the value of post-secondary education.”

Since the introduction of the Summer Bridge Program, 121 students have successfully participated in the one-year experience. University data indicates that participants are more active in campus activities and more likely to remain in school to graduate than nonparticipants. The program grows each year: The first group consisted of 25 incoming students, then 47 students in 2016, and 50 students in 2017.

Now in its fourth year, the program drew 54 participants from eight states. Summer Bridge students have the opportunity to complete seven credit hours of coursework, participate in field experiences and learn about the rich history of Missouri and the Civil Rights Movement.

“Summer Bridge not only set me up to have great success in the classroom, it also transformed me into a leader on campus,” said Dajon Stewart, (2016) St. Louis, MO.

“Summer Bridge was great! It helped me with my time management, put me ahead for the Fall semester, and introduced me to a more diverse life,” said Justin Pearson, (2017) Memphis, TN.

“Inspired by the legacy of my grandfather and Enterprise founder, Jack Taylor, our company is committed to expanding economic mobility and workforce development through education,” said Carolyn Kindle Betz, Senior Vice President and Executive Director of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation. “We’re honored today to celebrate the educational opportunities that Harris-Stowe State University has provided to our community for the past 160 years.”

Since the late Jack Taylor founded Enterprise in 1957, his small start-up has grown to become the world’s largest car rental company, with more than 9,900 locations in more than 95 countries and territories throughout the world, and more than 5,600 employees in the St. Louis area alone.

Started in 1982 by Mr. Taylor, the Enterprise Holdings Foundation was established to allow the company to give back to the communities where its customers and employees live and work.

About Harris-Stowe State University

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU), located in midtown St. Louis, is a fully accredited four-year institution that offers 31 majors, minors and certificate programs in education, business and arts & sciences. In 2014, HSSU ranked No. 1 in the state of Missouri and No. 47 in the nation in granting degrees in mathematics and statistics to African-Americans according to Missouri Department of Higher Education and Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, a news magazine that has ranked institutions conferring the most degrees to minority students for the past 30 years. The university, which has origins dating back to 1857, offers the most affordable bachelor’s degree in the state of Missouri.