Wilberforce University has announced changes on its Board of Trustees. The leadership change is part of the school's "Force of Change" strategyto help it survive academic and fiscal problems. The Wilberforce Alumni Association and university officials say the strategy will include naming a new president and reorganizing the board of directors.
Wilberforce grad Mark Wilson, CEO of eVerifile, has been appointed chairman of the Board of Trustees, while John Miller, CEO and president of Denny’s Corporation, will become vice chairman of the board.
Their appointment comes on the heels of Wilberforce receiving a show cause order from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in June, stating that the university may lose its accreditation due to academic and fiscal difficulties. Wilson has an answer for those who wonder if Wilberforce can keep its doors open.
"The answer is an empathic, strong, confident, 'yes' we can make it and fully intend to make it," he said. "The school has a rich history since 1856 of making it and we don't have any intention of doing anything but extending that legacy."
Wilson feels that Miller's expertise in business and finance will help the school effectively deal with the show-cause order.
"We're going to do everything we need to do to present the case that our accreditation is safe and intact," Wilson said.
Wilberforce must respond to the accreditation concerns by December 15. The university is the oldest private historically black university in the nation.
