Joseph Holley family answers scholarship challenge at Albany State University

ALBANY — When Albany State University President Art Dunning and his wife Karen Baynes-Dunning announced their $50,000 matching gift for need-based scholarships and the university’s marching band, it got the attention of one family, in particular — that of ASU’s founding president, Joseph Winthrop Holley.

Holley’s daughter, Josephine Holley Jefferson, along with Jefferson’s niece and nephew immediately responded, contributing $2,500 to the “Rams in the Roses and Beyond” campaign, making the Holley family the first to accept the challenge.

“I love Albany State,” said Xavier “Zay” Morris, Holley Jefferson’s nephew and co-owner of Albany restaurant Billy Boy’s. “We wanted to donate the $2,500 to show our appreciation to the students, faculty, and staff.”

In 1903, Holley, a son of former slaves, founded Albany Bible Manual Training Institute — the predecessor of ASU. After being inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’ writings about the plight of African Americans in Albany, he started the school with a $2,600 gift from a New England businessman’s family.

Dee Cosby, Holley Jefferson’s niece and co-owner of Billy Boy’s, said the students have greatly supported the three-year old restaurant, and she couldn’t think of a better way to show her gratitude than to give back.

“When we received the call from Ms. Cosby, it was another wonderful gift in itself,” said Chanta Haywood, vice president for Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation. “To have one president’s family reach out to another in this way is special. This connection and show of support must be one that, I believe, would certainly make Dr. Holley smile.”

Throughout October, the Dunning Matching Fund will match all donations made to the “Rams in the Roses and Beyond” Campaign dollar for dollar up to $25,000.

Cosby also challenged other restaurants to match or exceed their $2,500 donation.

“We wanted to start our own legacy of giving back to Albany State. This is the first opportunity in which we’re able to do that,” Cosby said.

While the Holley family is interested in helping the band make it to the parade, they are also motivated by the “beyond” part of ASU’s fund, which focuses on student needs and scholarships.

Going forward, Cosby and Morris will present scholarships of at least $500 to two deserving ASU students in efforts to address financial needs. Holley Jefferson, who already gives annually for scholarships, said she will continue to support the university and the Dunnings’ match.

“It is wonderful what the Dunnings are doing,” Holley Jefferson said. She even issued a challenge of her own: “I want us all to keep it going.”

The Dunnings have donated $25,000 for need-based scholarships and have committed up to $25,000 to be matched by ASU supporters to send the Albany State University Marching Band to the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade, which will be broadcast around the world on New Year’s Day.