History was made today at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University when Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of Act.1 Group in Torrance, Calif., announced a $10 million planned gift to the university. This is one of the largest alumni gifts given to a Historically Black College/University. Howroyd is co-chair of N.C. A&T’s $100 million capital campaign.

“ This is the largest planned gift in the history of the university,” said A&T Chancellor James C. Renick. “We are delighted and thankful to receive such a tremendous commitment from Ms. Howroyd. Her gift reflects a great deal of loyalty and appreciation for the influence that this university has had on her life and other business successes.”
Howroyd attended N.C. A&T in the early 1970s and has a strong commitment to the university, its mission and vision.

“ This gift is because of my belief in North Carolina A&T State University and the whole North Carolina education system,” said Howroyd, who oversees the largest female owned minority staffing agency in the United States.

“ Giving back to an institution that produced six of my top corporate employees, who are now in senior executive positions gives me such joy.”

Howroyd’s deceased sister Sandy was the first of her siblings to attend A&T. She also was the first employee she ever hired and instrumental in her moving west to start her business.

“ Janice Bryant Howroyd is an extraordinary entrepreneur and North Carolina A&T State University is very fortunate to benefit from her generosity and business success,” said David Hoard, vice chancellor for development and university relations. “Her type of leadership gift will support future generations of Aggies and continue the university’s rich legacy.”

A native of Tarboro, N.C., Howroyd has been featured in numerous national magazines including Essence and Black Enterprise. She recently appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show. In 2002, Howroyd received an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from A&T.

With Howroyd’s announcement, A&T’s $100 million capital campaign now has commitments totaling $67 million.