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ST. LOUIS — A former administrator at ӣ����Ƶ Public Schools created a $1 million endowment for scholarships at her alma mater, Harris-Stowe State University.

The estate gift from Anne E. Price, who was an assistant superintendent for elementary schools at SLPS, is the largest awarded to the university from a woman graduate. Price died recently at age 96.

, as it was then called, in 1946 and started teaching at Banneker Elementary in SLPS. She established a reading clinic for Black students in the district, which was segregated at the time.

Price earned a doctorate in education from ӣ����Ƶ University and was promoted to various administrator roles at SLPS before retiring as assistant superintendent. She was also known for appearing on the KMOV (Channel 4) show “PS 4” as a reading instructor.

“She was always a huge supporter of the underdog,” said her niece, Lynette Price-McKinney, in a statement. “Her love for education was deeply personal. She wanted to help students from the city, particularly African American males pursuing elementary education. She believed in their potential and wanted to remove the financial barriers that so many of them face.”

The scholarship fund will focus on students majoring in elementary education, according to a press release from Harris-Stowe.

“Dr. Price’s generous donation will not only honor her legacy but will also empower future generations to pursue their educational dreams. Her commitment to equity in education resonates deeply with our mission at HSSU,” said LaTonia Collins Smith, the university’s president, in a statement.

Harris-Stowe, long known for its educator training programs, has struggled in recent years with falling enrollment and accreditation issues. Only seven students graduated from Harris-Stowe’s teacher training program in spring of 2023, the latest figure available from the university.

Enrollment at Harris-Stowe this fall stands at 1,002, down from 1,630 students five years ago. The Higher Learning Commission, a national accrediting body for universities, placed Harris-Stowe “on notice” in 2022 for violations of its standards. Reviewers from the organization visited Harris-Stowe in the spring and are expected to release an update on the university’s accreditation status in the next two months.