Fisk University Receives a $500,000 Donation from Brewer Family Foundation to Renovate Science Labs on Campus

Talley Brady Hall

Nashville, TN – The Brewer Family Foundation, a nonprofit out of Birmingham AL has donated $500,000 to Fisk University, to aid in the renovation process of the University’s on campus laboratories. The Brewer Foundation was established in 1998 by Lucille Brewer, Henry Hampton Brewer, M.D. and Alexander L. Brewer, M.D., all Fisk graduates.

Fisk University President Dr. Vann Newkirk, Sr., said, “The Brewer Family Foundation’s generous support for Fisk and our students is an important investment in providing our students with top tier facilities.” The new science labs will allow our students access to state-of-the-art equipment that will provide further opportunities for their success.

The labs that will undergo renovation are located in Talley-Brady Hall which is home to the majority of Fisk’s science and math classes. The building which, was originally built in 1931 was named after Fisk alumni Thomas W. Talley and St. Elmo Brady, who was the first African American to obtain a Ph.D. degree in chemistry. Both Talley and Brady were Chemistry professors and Chairs of the Chemistry department at the University. Brady, who was a former student of Thomas Talley founded the first ever graduate studies program at a Black College/University during his tenure.

Fisk University is continuously striving to provide its students with opportunities that will help prepare them for their future careers. This commitment to student success is what drives decisions made at the university and this partnership with Brewer Family Foundation will continue to impact Fisk students for years to come. Fisk has a nationally acclaimed STEM program and is one of the top leaders in producing African American PhDs.