By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
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Dallas, TX – Amid serious financial and academic problems, Dallas' Historically Black Paul Quinn College is seeking accreditation from a new organization. Last year, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - SACS - failed to approve Paul Quinn, which then lost its appeal. KERA's Bill Zeeble has more
Accreditation matters. Without it, students cannot graduate or seek federal loans. Last year, SACS cited financial and academic troubles at Paul Quinn College when denying accreditation. So the school sued. As a result, president Michael Sorrell says it retains accreditation, probably into 2011. He also says things are looking up, financially.
Sorrell: We're in position to have the best financial year since I've been here. We have close to $2 million in capital improvement projects underway.
Paul Quinn College hopes to gain accreditation from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, which rates about 50 institutions. SACS looks at 13,000. Paul Quinn's new board chair is Robert Weiss, with Dallas non-profit Meadows Foundation. He says the Meadows believes in Paul Quinn.
Weiss: The Meadows Foundation is invested in the school. 500k is a significant grant and the foundation is optimistic. We believe in the leadership Michael is providing. The mission of the school remains important.
Earlier today, Paul Quinn College celebrated its 138th Founders Day with a visiting preacher and awards for staff and students past and present.