Wiley College graduates have tuition balances paid by anonymous donor – Houston Public Media

MARSHALL, Texas (AP) — Students graduating from a historically black college in East Texas were told during their commencement ceremony that an anonymous donor had paid their balances, officials said.

Wiley College said in a news release that more than 100 students were gathered for graduation on Saturday when the school president made the announcement.

“We are constantly communicating with donors to help students in this way so they can begin their post-college experience with less debt,” said Herman J. Felton Jr., president and CEO of Wiley, in the press release.

The college said in the news release that the estimated total balances owed to the college by the Class of 2022 are approximately $300,000.

The 2007 film “The Great Debaters” starring Denzel Washington was inspired by the 1935 debate in which Wiley prevailed over the powerful team at the nationally known University of Southern California at a time when the nation was heavily segregated.