“From the moment I was surrounded by its warm embrace, I was head over heels in love with Spelman College, and especially with the beautiful people who study and teach there,”

These are the words of Leonard Riggio, the founder and chairman of Barnes & Noble. Along with and his wife Louise, they have gifted $1 million to the college.

The donation will kickstart the new Riggio Scholars Program and to support Spelman’s arts and innovation center.

The scholar program will take half the money and use it to underwrite six outstanding students. Students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and who have engaged in service for the community.

The other half will be put towards building the arts and innovation center which will house an arts program and an innovation lab.

It’s amazing with successful people give back to the community.