Washington gives $1 million to college in film

‘Great Debaters’ star aims to help re-establish school’s debate team

Kevork Djansezian / AP	Actor/producer Denzel Washington’s new film “The Great Debaters” opens Christmas Day. It has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best picture drama.

Celebrity video

Big changes in store for Oprah?
Nov. 8: Is the queen of daytime television preparing to give up her popular talk show to focus on her own cable network? NBC’s Kevin Tibbles reports, then Rolling Stone contributor Toure and CNBC’s Carmen Wong Ulrich join Jenna Wolfe to discuss the financial and cultural impact of a potential move.

Fans walk out on Spears in Australia

One-on-one with Hulk Hogan

Fran Drescher dishes on her love life

Brokaw, Hanks relaunch WWII Museum

Harden unveils ‘Big Book of Dreams’

Slideshow

Best and worst celebrity fashions of 2009
From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.

more photos

updated 12:03 p.m. ET Dec. 19, 2007

MARSHALL, Texas - Denzel Washington is donating $1 million to Wiley College to re-establish its debate team.

The gift was announced Tuesday by school officials.

Washington was in Marshall last week to screen “The Great Debaters,” the story of Wiley’s 1930s debate team. He stars as educator and poet Melvin Tolson, who led the all-black college’s elite debate squad.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

During his appearance, the 52-year-old actor-director said he would like to see the team get going again.

Marshall is a city of about 24,000, located 140 miles east of Dallas. Wiley has about 900 students.

“The Great Debaters” opens Christmas Day. It has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for best picture drama.

Click for related content

‘Great Debaters’ screens in small Texas town