TV remarks sound false alarm for two black colleges
2/21/2003 News media contact: Linda Green · (615) 742-5470 · Nashville, Tenn A UMNS Report By Linda Green*
By Linda Green*
A seminary professor speaking on a recent television show
mistakenly told viewers that two United Methodist colleges were on the
verge of closing and asked all African Americans to send $5 each by the
end of March to save them.
Carolyn Knight, an assistant professor
at the Interdenominational Theological School in Atlanta, appearing
Feb. 8 on C-SPAN, named Paine College, Augusta, Ga., and Bennett
College, Greensboro, N.C., as two of five historically black colleges
that were "on the ropes" and "about to go under in a matter of weeks."
Her remarks were made on the "State of the Black Church," an annual
program of Tavis Smiley, a popular African-American television and radio
personality and commentator.
In her remarks, Knight said that if
black America is serious about saving its schools, then each of the
nation's 32 million African Americans should write a $5 check, "between
now and the end of March ... to Bennett, or Paine College, and it will
save our schools. We cannot afford to lose another historically black
institution." Another panelist on the show urged all African Americans
to get their churches involved by sending donations to the United Negro
College Fund.
While some traditionally black colleges are in dire
straits, and most need donations for their coffers, neither United
Methodist-related Bennett nor Paine is about to close.
"Dr.
Knight was incorrect about Paine College," said Paine College President
Shirley A.R. Lewis. "The information is simply untrue. The truth is that
Paine College is not 'on the ropes." She said the 121-year-old school
has a balanced budget, stable enrollment and an endowment of more than
$10 million. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Universities.
Officials at Bennett College, one of two U.S.
colleges for black women, expressed gratitude that the Smiley show
emphasized the need for supporting historically black schools. The
college has received a number of donations, and letters of appreciation
have been sent to each donor. "We wish to say that we are truly thankful
for every dollar that we received in support of Bennett College," said
Johnnetta B. Cole, president, in an open-letter response to the
television program.
However, she said it was "unfortunate" that
Bennett was mischaracterized on the show as "about to go under."
"Bennett College is one of the schools that was incorrectly portrayed as
on the brink of closing because of financial circumstances," she said.
She
acknowledged that while the school has been placed on a 12-month
probation by its accrediting body for financial reasons, "we are working
diligently to address the issues raised by the Southern Association for
Colleges and Schools." The 130-year-old school receives strong support,
including help from the United Negro College Fund, she said, and it
invites "all our sisters and brothers in African American churches and
communities to join in this support."
The alarm generated by
Knight's comments among African-Americans compelled Smiley to issue an
apology during his commentary Feb. 18 on the "Tom Joyner Morning Show,"
which is heard on more than 100 urban radio stations throughout the
United States.
Joyner, also a participant on the Feb. 8
show, is an advocate for black colleges and a champion of the United
Negro College Fund. Through his foundation, a college is chosen each
month to assist students with scholarships and internships. In his
remarks, he said that black colleges and universities "need your money,
they need your children and they need the tuition to stay alive."
The
Rev. Joreathea Capers, executive director of the United Methodist
Church's Black College Fund, called Knight's comments "completely
unfounded." "No historically black college or university related to the
United Methodist Church is 'about to go under in a matter of weeks,'"
Capers said.
Eleven historically black colleges are related to
United Methodist Church, and all are fully accredited, Capers said. The
United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, which oversees
the Black College Fund, emphasizes credibility, accountability and
integrity on the part of the colleges, she said. "We cannot
overemphasize the importance of the Black College Fund … in ensuring
the viability of these institutions related to the United Methodist
Church."
Knight issued a personal apology for the "great
disservice" her remarks did to Paine College. In a letter to President
Lewis, she expressed remorse for any damage that she may have caused the
college and stated that she had intended to refer to another
institution that has a similar name. She said she attempted to "state a
specific action that the African-American church and community could do
with its vast financial resources, specifically given the great
challenge that Morris Brown College (Atlanta) is facing. Again, I
apologize that I was not clear and therefore misunderstood," she wrote.
Morris Brown College, a historically black institution
related to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, lost its
accreditation in late 2002, but it has appealed to the Southern
Association of Colleges and Universities. Pending resolution of the
appeal, the association said that Morris Brown has been returned to the
status it held before the Dec. 9 vote to terminate its accreditation. # # # *Green is news director of the Nashville, Tenn.,-based office of United Methodist News Service.
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