Brothers and Sisters I have been concerned about Morris Brown for sometime. Is there any progress with the existing issues or are there new matters requiring both prayer and attention. Any feedback would be appreciated

Blessings

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2004

Answers

I have been curious about that as well. I particularly became curious within the last month. A large Historically Black College tour left my city (over 100 students) enroute to the Atlanta U Center, Nasville (Fisk, Tuskegee, Meharry) and other colleges. When I spoke with a few of the students about the Atlanta trip, they stated that a tour of Morris Brown was not included in the trip due to the school's lack of accreditation. I was curious to find out if any changes for the better have occurred at the school. God bless.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2004

As a proud Alumnus of Morris Brown College, the Class of 1966, two days ago I received the mail the Morris Brown College Alumni News. Some of the key points of interest are these:

Recently the Board of Trustees of Morris Brown College authorized a search committee for a new president. The committee worked diligently and swiftly to recommend to the Board of Trustees the election of this new president.

On March 1, 2004, Dr. Samuel D. Jolley was duly elected and installed as Morris Brown College’s 17th President. Governor Sonny Purdue was also present at this announcement to pledge the state’s belief in the legacy and survival of Morris Brown.

Dr. Jolley also served as the College’s 14th President from October 1993 to December 1997. During his previous administration, Dr. Jolley moved aggressively to make Morris Brown one of the nation’s most recognized HBCU and a flagship among AME Colleges and Schools. Again he has taken the helm and initiated a most aggressive restructuring and retooling plan. Some of the key components of the plan are these:

1. Appointing a Vice President for Instruction and Advancement and a competent Director of Research and Planning.

2. Instituting a Shared Governance Plan, which not only include the African Methodist Episcopal Church, to which the College will remain aligned, but also with civic, corporate/business and higher education expert involvement as well.

3. The plan also includes the achievement of academic excellence, good management (human, capital and fiscal), and appropriate monitoring and oversight.

4. The College will of course work aggressively to reestablish its accreditation with SACS.

5. Dr. Jolley has also visited, reported and appealed to each Annual Conference, five of six of which have now been convened in the Sixth Episcopal District, with the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference to follow on May 18.

On Sunday, May 16, 2004 at 4:00 p.m. Morris Brown College will graduate its Senior Class of 2004. alumni, former professors, family, friends and well wishers are asked to assemble to give their support of this brave group of students who did not abandon the college in its time of challenge and need.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Largely through the efforts of the AME Church, but not excluding the charitable gifts of others as well, the debt of the College has been reduced by $10,000,000. The President and Board are seeking to renegotiate and refinance the remaining debt. However the interest, which exceeds $1,000,000 quickly, erodes these contributions as quickly as they come in.

Thus the College in conjunction with the AME Church has initiated a new Capital Campaign, It is asking that 100,000 persons contribute $100 to the College or more by June 30, 2004; Solicit 20 other persons to do the same and ask those 20 persons to appeal to 10 additional persons to give. Donations should be made to Morris Brown College and mailed to the following address:

Morris Brown College Office of Institutional Advancement, 643 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30314

The College ONLY should make contact of corporations, governmental agencies, foundations etc. However, you might make the College aware of any of these potential contacts.

We must also make potential students aware that Morris Brown College is open, retooling and needs both students and our support.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2004

I know many of you love Morris Brown and do not want to see it closed. But Morris Brown was badly mismanaged and unless significant changes are made, it will not survive. God does not bless us when we are not good stewards of the resources He provides through his people.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2004

Bro. Robert Thank you so very much. I will be adding my contribution to Morris Brown. God Bless You and all members of the 6th working so hard to save this great tool of the Church

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2004

My prayers go out to Morris Brown. Unfortunately, with the poor job market, and with companies/organizations coming up with every excuse to not hire African American students, I do not think it is a good time to send students there. I really feel for the students who decided to stick it out and graduate from there. Unfortunately, their diplomas will be scrutinized, and will not be recognized from an accredited institution. I think a really good time to take up a collection for Morris Brown would be at the General Conference. It reminds me of the General Conference of 1988, when a collection was raised for Jesse Jackson, and within 15 minutes, close to $100,000 was raised. Sixteen years later, I think we could double or triple that amount at the 2004 General Conference. Blessings and Peace.

-- Anonymous, May 07, 2004

My Church in Dallas gave $300 to Morris Brown College a few months ago. I will send another $100 before the June 30th deadline. We cannot afford to turn the other way when any of our Colleges are in trouble. If our foremothers and forefathers could sacrifice to build them, certainly we can do no less than to keep them open and help them succeed.

-- Anonymous, May 15, 2004