Donor Sues Alabama University for Ending His Scholarship Program

Eight years ago, Eric Suder decided he wanted to use some of the fortune he had made in telecommunications technology to help students who were the first in their families to attend college.

His family foundation chose eight universities to receive $1 million to $2 million over four years. The money from the program, called First Scholars, would be used to provide scholarships and to create a mentoring and support system for the beneficiaries. After the funding ran out, the universities agreed that they would take over the programs.

The University of Alabama, which received $1.3 million from Suder, abruptly canceled the program two weeks after cashing his final check for $250,000 in September 2014.