Benedict College Wins the Lottery
Charlie W. Johnson of Louisville, Kentucky, is chairman of the board of trustees of Benedict College, a historically black institution in Columbia, South Carolina. Johnson, a former defensive end for the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, is a wealthy businessman who made a fortune in the trucking business after his football playing days were over.
Despite his wealth, Johnson is known to play the Powerball Lottery. And earlier this month he won $200,000 by matching five of the six numbers drawn. Had he matched the sixth number, the jackpot would have totaled $15 million. After learning of his good fortune, Johnson had his lottery winnings sent directly to Benedict College. The college is going to use the money for the completion of its new football stadium which will be named for Johnson. Johnson previously had donated $1 million for the stadium fund.
Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.