A little magic: Magic Johnson helping SC State raise $2.5M

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) NBA great Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson will work with South Carolina State University to raise $2.5 million for scholarships that bear his name.

The university announced in a release Monday that the Earvin ''Magic'' Johnson Endowed Scholarship Fund will help students seeking business degrees at the state-supported, historically black university in Orangeburg.

Johnson spoke at the school last year and said he would work to strengthen the university. More details about the scholarship are expected to be released Sunday during a fundraising event in Washington.

The announcement comes amid a sharp increase in giving to the university. Private donations are up more than 360 percent over last year to $4.2 million, while donations from alumni are up more than 80 percent to almost $975,000.