The INSIDER Spring/Summer 2021

Home Depot Retool Your School Success

On Monday, February 15, 2021, despite the unprecedented Texas snow storm, Texas College Steers banded together for the 2021 Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program competition. Determined by cumulative consumer voting online, as well as the social media platforms Instagram and Twitter, Home Depot upped the ante for 2021, pledging a total of $1 million in campus improvement grants to 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. With HBCUs divided into three categories, or “clusters,” based on the institution’s student enrollment, 10 grants were allotted per cluster. Texas College’s designation, Cluster 3, proved to be the most competitive group, with the top institutions garnering more votes than larger clusters. Despite the stiff competition, Texas College alumni, students, faculty, and staff demonstrated their determination to win. Derivative of concerted collaborative planning efforts between the Texas College National Alumni Association and the College campus, Texas College employed a strategic and systematic approach for the 30-day voting period. Comprised of voting teams, daily challenges, voting shifts, as well as other tactics, this approach positioned Texas College to emerge victorious. These collective around-the- clock efforts, diligent and unwavering, amassed 382, 999 votes, the highest Texas College has ever recorded throughout the competition's 12-year existence. These votes propelled Texas College to success, securing a grant award of $30,000. “To Trustee Collins, the entire Texas College National Alumni Association, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the College, as well as Mrs. Angelia Fennell and Mr. Jacob Martin for their on-campus coordination and shaping of the grant’s proposal, I extend many thanks,” commented President Dwight Fennell. “Their efforts of great support leading to this significant contribution to Texas College is appreciated and well-received.” Due to the support of this initiative, the campus improvement grant award of $30,000 will be utilized to rehabilitate the President’s Living Room Patio. The project is slated to begin in the Fall 2021 academic term. To view the virtual Home Depot Retool Your School 2021 Winners Announcement Ceremony broadcast on April 14, scan the QR code.

Texas College announced as a $30,000 recipient at the virtual Home Depot Retool Your School 2021 Winners Announcement Ceremony.

6 The INSIDER │ Volume 16