Clark Atlanta University has received two gifts from The Bernard Osher Foundation that will support scholarships for nontraditional undergraduate students who wish to return to the University to complete their education.

The Bernard Osher Foundation, founded in 1977 seeks to improve quality of life through support for higher education and the arts.

The University's Osher Reentry Scholarship Program, which is managed by the Scholarship Office, is specifically for nontraditional students who have been out of college for at least five years and have plans to work after graduation.

The relationship between Clark Atlanta and the Osher Foundation began two years ago when the foundation established a $50,000 annual scholarship at the University. Since then, 20 reentry students have received Osher scholarships.

"The Bernard Osher Foundation is proud to support Clark Atlanta University and its reentry students eager to complete a baccalaureate degree," noted Mary Bitterman, president of the Foundation. "We are confident that the Osher Scholars, upon graduation, will contribute in meaningful ways to their families and communities.  We know also that each of them will contribute to a better world."

The recent gifts will extend the program. A scholarship endowment gift of $1 million will fund 10 Osher scholarships each academic year. Meanwhile, a bridge grant of $50,000 will support eligible scholars until the endowment matures.

"We are grateful that the Osher Foundation focuses its support on individuals who, for myriad reasons, had to interrupt their education, but who never gave up their dream of earning a CAU degree," said CAU President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D.