Denzel Washington Donates $2M to Alma Mater

Actor donated money to Fordham university for scholarships and a new chair

Actor Denzel Washington recently donated $2.25 million to his alma mater Fordham University in New York City. The 56-year-old actor graduated from the university in 1977 where he studied Theater.

The funds will be used to create a new scholarship program for undergraduate students as well as a Chair in Theater position, set to be filled by actress Phylicia Rashad, known for her role as Clair on "The Cosby Show."

I wanted to create the Denzel Washington Endowed Scholarship and Chair in Theatre at Fordham in order to offer the next generation of students positive influences," Washington said. "Phylicia Rashad, as the inaugural holder of the chair, will provide the care, compassion and that extra push to help take students where they're meant to go."

According to the New York Times, Rashad will be the first of many famous actors to rotate in the Chair of Theatre position. The Tony-winning actress has already begun teaching the "Creating a Character" course at Fordham.

Washington recently finished filming "Safe House," where he plays Tobin Frost opposite of Ryan Reynolds. The film centers on a CIA-operated safe house that is targeted by a group of bad guys, leaving the facility's house-sitter to move a criminal who is hidden there.