Austin, Texas — Huston-Tillotson University has received a $1,350,000 planned gift from the estate of educators and alumni Theodore C. “Ted” Smith and Octavia L. Smith, which will be used to endow a teacher initiative, a music professorship, and support other university priorities.
The gift will establish the Theodore C. and Octavia L. Smith Endowment to support the African American Male Teachers’ Initiative and the Theodore C. and Octavia L. Smith music endowed professorship, while also providing unrestricted funds to support university priorities, according Linda Y. Jackson, vice president for institutional advancement.
“This gift is clear in its purpose,” said Jackson. “It strengthens teacher preparation, supports music, and provides resources the university can use where they are most needed.”…