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An Uncertain Future For Bennett College

Looking to the future for Bennett College.
Looking to the future for Bennett College.

The clock is ticking for Bennett College. The historically-black women’s college aims to raise $5 million by Friday, Feb. 1 to help save its accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges voted to revoke Bennett’s accreditation last month over concerns the school is not fiscally sound and financially stable enough to keep its doors open. 

Host Frank Stasio talks with WUNC reporter Naomi Prioleau and WFDD reporter Bethany Chafin about the challenges Bennett College faces to keep it's accreditation.

Bennett has been on probation for two years. They will hold an appeals hearing later in February to determine the school’s fate. The college launched a “Stand With Bennett” campaign which is reportedly bringing in up to 200 donations a day, including two $500,000 donations announced last week which bring them closer to their goal.

WUNC reporter Naomi Prioleau has been covering the story and joins host Frank Stasio live from the Triad Stage to share the latest on the school’s preparations for the looming deadline. WFDD reporter Bethany Chafin also joins the conversation to share highlights from her interview with Dawkins and the school’s plan to get financially stable. 

Copyright 2019 North Carolina Public Radio

Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
Dana is an award-winning producer who began as a personality at Rock 92. Once she started creating content for morning shows, she developed a love for producing. Dana has written and produced for local and syndicated commercial radio for over a decade. WUNC is her debut into public radio and she’s excited to tell deeper, richer stories.