North Carolina Central University will once again compete in the Home Depot 2011 “Retool Your School” competition, which awards grants to historically black colleges and universities. NCCU submitted two projects for consideration: $50,000 to beautify and install an ADA-approved wheelchair ramp in front of the McDougald – McLendon Gymnasium and $10,000 to update one of the campus bowls used by Greek-letter organizations.

The Retool Your School grant program will award $150,000 in grants, distributed as one $50,000 grand prize and 10 other grants of $10,000 each. The grant supports evergreen campus improvement efforts. Online voting will take place until April 22, and participants can cast a vote for NCCU daily. To vote for NCCU, visit www.homedepot.com/retoolyourschool.

During the online voting period, individuals can view descriptions of major and minor projects and cast one vote per day for their favorite HBCU. After the online vote, a panel of judges will evaluate each school’s proposal. Schools must highlight how each project will have a lasting, positive impact on its campus, and special attention will be given to schools that pitch eco-friendly tasks. The winning schools will be determined based on a combination of online votes and the judges’ evaluations. The Home Depot will announce the top finalists on May 16.