Edward Waters College (EWC) Recipient of Historic $3.5 Million Increase in State Support

Edward Waters College (EWC) President, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., spoke on Wednesday, July 1, in a press conference taking place on the campus of sister HBCU Bethune-Cookman University alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in which he addressed the historic investment made for the benefit of EWC in the 2020-2021 state legislative budget. During the press conference, President Faison noted that, “Many students who come to EWC do not drop out, they stop out, due to financial hardships and difficulties. This additional support will help lessen that unfortunate trend.” Governor DeSantis also duly acknowledged that an important part of Florida’s history is the tremendous contributions made to the state by its HBCUs. 

This historic increase included an additional $3.5 million to EWC leading to a total of $7.4 million slated to support the state of Florida’s first HBCU—EWC. This additional funding represents a 72% increase in state support for EWC over the prior budget year. 

President Faison announced that EWC also plans to utilize some of the additional support towards bringing new academic programs to the institution such as computer and information science, forensic science, social work, and the advent of EWC’s first graduate degree program, i.e., a Master of Business Administration, ultimately leading to it becoming Edward Waters University. “We are brimming with anticipation and so very thankful for this tremendous investment and the transformative work that our Governor and state legislature led on behalf of our venerable institution,” said President Faison.