Prairie View A&M University gets $50M from MacKenzie Scott, largest in its history FacebookTwitterEmail File: Mackenzie Scott in 2018picture alliance/picture alliance via Getty Image Prairie View A&M University received $50 million from writer and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott — the largest donation in the historically black college’s 144-year history, according to a university release. The university, which was given the choice on how to use the funds, will create a $10 million Panther Success Grant program, a financial aid initiative to assist juniors and seniors facing financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This is a historic gift for Prairie View, coming at a time when the university had already decided and begun to invest heavily in key areas to strengthen its academic programs and improve student success. The timing of this gift could therefore not be better,” President Ruth J. Simmons said in a written statement.