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The End Is Near: An Auction of Assets Is Set For Morris Brown College
Reputable HBCU Morris Brown College Faces Foreclosure
An auction of assets is set for Morris Brown College on September 4. Officials said the college is facing the foreclosure action after investors called $13 million worth of bonds tied to the college. The institution is one of the oldest historically black colleges in the nation. Its current enrollment has dropped to 50 students. In it’s history, the university had over 3,000 students.
Former Atlanta City Councilman and Morris Brown graduate Derrick Boazman called the development “heartbreaking.” Benjamin Harrison, a spokesman for the 6th District of African Methodist Episcopal Church, the force overseeing the school, said officials will talk about reorganizing and restructuring. The school is planning a prayer vigil Saturday.
As an alum of the Atlanta University Center (AUC)- Clark Atlanta University specifically- it is devastating to watch a university that held a respectable reputation throughout the AUC and the world, crumble to mismanagement of finances and egos. I hope for the sake of my colleagues who passionately love their alma mater and planned to see their children carry on the legacy of matriculating there that the college will find its way back to the love, innovation, and inspiration that they once cultivated.
mickey
August 25, 2012 at 3:22 am
Who, what, why, when and where. Can you give some background info tha would shed some light on why it has come to this, and what is being auctioned, what are their options etc.
NONNIE
August 25, 2012 at 10:03 am
Where are all the Black professionals (physicians,attorneys, professors, pharmacits, CPAs, journalists, developers, scientists, etc),actors, actresses, movie stars, moguls, athletes, entertainers, and all other celebrities, and Oprah,Tyler, Spike, Denzel, Danny, Blair, Hill, etc. who could certainly get together and prevent any educational institution from falling into ruin such as this. Help Tom Joyner to rebuild this institution or put other qualified administrators in place to prevent this from happening again. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. This is very sad in this day and age. We finally crossed one hurdle only to be set back by this. It is a travesty what took place here. Where is the oversight?
Has anyone reahed out to these potential benefactors? If I knew how I would. Find a way! Peace and God’s love to all. Make it agreat day!
Robbia
August 26, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Nonnie, I feel the same way that you expressed. This is a travesty. I can’t believe the school can’t be saved. If there is any kind of fund-raising effort,I would be happy to donate.
Jake
August 25, 2012 at 1:19 pm
For those who have not been following this for the past 10 years, this is but the culmination of many bad dreams. The Bishops of the AME Church that sit on the board at Morris Brown College have exhibited the highest form of greed and fiscal irresponsibility for over 20 years. Not only did they fail to contribute to the endowment of MBC, they mismanaged funds raised by concerned Black Professionals, refused an offer from radio host Tom Joyner to buy the school, and repeatedly made missteps with regards to the handling of the USOC donated stadium.
Joyner said during one show that he was going to visit MBC just to find out what was done with the $1 million he donated. Dissatisfied with the response, he offered to buy the beleaguered institution and thereby wipe out the debt. The Board refused the offer despite having no real plans or means to raise the then $30 million dollars needed to extricate the school from debt.
MBC was approached numerous times by promoters, local school systems, other institutions of higher learning, collegiate athletic conference offices, and professional/semi-professional franchises interested in using the 18,000 seat stadium. Contract stipulations were utterly outrageous with MBC requesting its people operate and control revenue from the concession stands; the use of the MBC police force at unreasonably high rates; and landscaping fees. The kicker here is the facility was not being maintained. Locker rooms, press areas, and suites were destroyed by water damage from copper water line pipes removed by looters.
There’s much more to this story and its all well chronicled. This auction is a shame and every one of the members of the Board from 1995-2005 should be ashamed of themselves. They got rich on the sacrifice of the children of slaves.
Frances
August 26, 2012 at 2:45 pm
Jake can you give the names of the board members so the church members and the public can put pressure on these so called board members to sell the college or give control to responsible people.
REV "D"
August 26, 2012 at 9:24 pm
Frances and Jake here is your info off of their WEBSITE
General Secretary
500 8th Avenue South • Nashville, TN 37203
Phone (615) 254-0911 • Fax (615) 254-0912
E-mail: cio@ame-church.com
Jeffery B. Cooper is the youngest son of the late Mrs. Idella E. Cooper. He has one sister, four brothers and is a native of Savannah, Georgia. Jeffery was raised in St. Phillip Monumental A.M.E. Church in Savannah and received his religious upbringing under the pastorate of Rev. Frederick Jaudon. Jeffery accepted the call to preach at a young age and gave his trial sermon at St. Phillip in 1976. Rev. Jeffery Cooper was ordained a Deacon by the late Bishop H. I. Bearden and was ordained an Elder by Bishop F. H. Talbot.
Rev. Cooper received his first pastoral charge while a student at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. This assignment was to Siloam A.M.E. Church in Silaom, Georgia from 1978-79. He then served at St. Luke/Nimno A.M.E. Church in Athens, Georgia, in the Augusta Conference from 1979-80. In December of 1980, Rev. Cooper was sent to Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in Athens, Georgia. During his tenure the church membership grew, the mortgage was burned, renovations were made to the church structure, and the Annual Conference was hosted. Rev. Cooper also served as secretary to the Conference and, following the passing of Presiding Elder J. F. Booker, for a brief period served as acting Presiding Elder.
Rev. Cooper attended the public schools of Savannah, Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. He holds an M.A. degree in Practical Theology from Regent University School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, Virginia and a Doctor of Ministry from Graduate Theological Seminary in South Bend, Indiana. Rev. Cooper holds a certificate in theology from the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and has done further study at the University of Georgia School of Law and Emory’s Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia.
Some of Rev. Cooper’s accolades include: Who’s Who in Black Atlanta (2009 & 2010); Turner Theological Seminary’s Henry McNeil Turner Image Award (2007); one of the 100 most influential Black preachers in Atlanta by Atlanta Business Magazine (2004, 2005 & 2006); Atlanta Gospel Choice Award (1998); Who’s Who in the Southeast (1995); Who’s Who in Religion (1992 & 1993); Honorary Deputy Sheriff, Fulton County, Georgia (1991); Outstanding Young Man in America (1987 & 1988).
Rev. Cooper has served as a consultant to the United States Central Intelligence Agency Personnel Department, a member of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (1984-1988), and the Assistant Director of Admissions / Director of Minority Admissions at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia (1984-1995). He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia as well as the Board of Trustees for the Sixth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. Rev. Cooper served as secretary of the Augusta Georgia Annual Conference (1981-1988). Currently Rev. Cooper is an active member of the Board of Examiners of the Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference, and is a member of the Atlanta Conference Board of Trustees. Rev. Cooper has served as Chair of the Credentials committee for the General Conference of the A.M.E. Church (2004 & 2008). Rev. Cooper currently serves as the accountant for the Sixth Episcopal District and is a current member of Turner Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees. Rev. Cooper is also the author of the book, A Financial Management Primer for the AME Church, which is used in the training of ministers by the A.M.E. Board of Examiners.
In June of 1988, Trinity A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia received Rev. Cooper as its 36th Pastor. During his tenure he has served Trinity’s congregation and the Southwest Atlanta, Georgia community for the past 23 years. Under Dr. Cooper’s visionary leadership, Trinity A.M.E. Church’s membership has increased, the entire church edifice has been completely renovated and remodeled, a pre-kindergarten program has been developed and instituted, and an educational annex was erected in 2000. Each of Trinity A.M.E. Church’s numerous ministries continues to thrive under Dr. Coopers’ leadership.
Dr. Cooper is married to Joanne E. Williams-Cooper, M.D. and they are the proud parents of four children: Ako, Ethan, Charity and Jeffery, II. They have also been blessed with three adorable grandchildren: Alex, Jadore, and Imana.
Office Administration
Mrs. Billie Dale Dixon Irving, Administrative Assistant, is a retired State of Tennessee Human Services Administrative Hearing Officer, who is a lifelong member of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Nashville, Tennessee. In the local church, she is a Trustee, 1st Vice President of the Lay Organization, a Missionary, Usher, and formerly served as Bulletin Clerk, and then as Church Secretary for over 35 years. She was appointed as Chairperson of the Affiliated Groups and Ecumenical Relations Committee for the 13th District WMS in 2001. Mrs. Irving served sixteen years in secretarial positions with the Connectional Lay Organization. Her responsibilities in the Office of the General Secretary include office support, database entry, general office management and record keeping.
Mrs. Marcia Fugh Joseph, Information Systems Project Manager (ISPM), is a 2001 graduate of Hampton University with a BS Degree in Management. After meeting requirements for graduation in December, 2000, Marcia enrolled in New Horizons Computer Learning Centers where she received specialized training in computer hardware and software usage. Marcia has completed her course work at Tennessee State University for the Master of Public Administration degree (MPA), with an emphasis on Not for Profits, and is in preparation for her thesis. In her capacity as ISPM, she offers database support and maintenance, network installation support, manages the “help desk” for technical support, and is active in user training services. She will also serve as the backup to the Webmaster.
NONNIE
August 28, 2012 at 9:35 pm
WOW! I have to print this to read it and take it in. If there is a way to restore the institution it should be done.If the people acted criminally they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows. This is yet another way of keeping bondage alive.
Miss T
August 26, 2012 at 10:11 pm
Are all these church folks stealing from the school?
cat
February 5, 2013 at 7:03 am
Thanks@Jake for breaking this down for us
..always seems to be the case…money being handeled wrong just like at TSU..Joyner had aright to question them..Why are we Always messing over our own people?
ShikB
February 5, 2013 at 10:07 am
This is heartbreaking! This is a sad moment in black history, I know the founders are rolling in their graves.
Rachel Frink
February 5, 2013 at 10:17 am
Okay all you affluent black folks. Where are now? A black institution needs your help. Are you just going to stand by and let this happen?