Gates Counters Turner’s ‘Tightwad’

Microsoft chief Bill Gates, ridiculed as a philanthropic tightwad by Ted Turner, announced Monday a $1.2 million donation of computer gear to six historically black colleges near Turner’s home base in Atlanta.

Gates said Microsoft made the donation because a lack of computer science graduates has limited the company’s growth. He didn’t mention Turner.

The donation of software and hardware was made to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse, Paine, Spelman and Morris Brown colleges, and the Interdenominational Theological Center.

In April, Turner admonished Gates and Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett as two who should give more to worthy causes. Gates topped the Forbes magazine list of richest Americans last year with an estimated net worth of $18.5 billion; Buffett was second with $15 billion. Turner ranked 47th with $2.1 billion.

Gates and Turner are scheduled speakers at the three-day Comdex computer show here this week.

Microsoft spokesman Greg Shaw said, “Bill’s given away over $270 million. This is nothing new. This has nothing to do with Ted Turner.”

Gates also donated $16 million to United Negro College Fund schools last year and has said he will give away 95 percent of his wealth before he dies.