Doing so would put the university on firm footing and allow it to provide scholarships and additional support to double enrollment from less than 600 to 1,200.
“We have addressed survival,” Hardaway said. “Now is the time to look to the next phase, the building stage.”
Hardaway has hired Eppechal Smalls, formerly a fundraiser at the small Claflin University in South Carolina, as the newest vice president for development. Smalls hopes to replicate the fundraising success he had there.
“We have a great culture of philanthropy. We want to get away from being a tuition-driven institution,” Smalls said. “What Wilberforce has not done is reached out past those loyal constant givers. We really haven’t been providing an opportunity to other alumni to give to the institution.”
The Rev. Floyd Flake, the school’s past president, was known for his ability to raise money but was criticized for being an absentee president, spending only two days a week at the school. The faculty voted no confidence in Flake shortly before his departure. In a twist, members of the alumni board took a no confidence vote in Hardaway just last month. Members of the board have not responded to repeated messages seeking comment.
Carver Johnson, chair of the university board of trustees, said he and the board fully support Hardaway’s leadership and he called the alumni board “misinformed.” He also said Flake’s efforts were appreciated, but the school “desperately needed” on-site leadership to prepare the school to thrive long term.
“Everyone has their strengths, and (fundraising) clearly was Dr. Flake’s strength,” Johnson said. “Now we are focused on getting infrastructure in place to do an annual campaign and fundraising year after year.”
The school is working to refinance $24 million in capital and other debts, said Sidney Evans, a consultant and interim chief financial officer.
“This is an issue that had to be addressed to create fiscal stability,” Evans said. “This is a positive statement being made by the investment community.”
Wilberforce leaders hope the financial changes help recruit more students and make up for recent enrollment loses. The school had more than 1,100 students in 2006 and Hardaway hopes to grow undergraduate enrollment to 1,200 in five years.
To do so, the school will concentrate on academics, said Lewis Jones, new vice president for academic affairs. Jones and Hardaway are confident the university will win re-accreditation in the coming weeks.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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