'Brighter days ahead:' St. Aug's president disputes rumor of school's imminent closure

The president of St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh is downplaying a dire warning about the future of the institution.

The headline of an online publication called HBCU Digest signals that St. Aug’s could be on the verge of closure. The report published leaked internal documents from the university.

On Tuesday, university President Everett Ward acknowledged years of financial and enrollment challenges, but argued St. Augustine’s is making progress to retain its accreditation.

“Know that we too will get past this and that we have brighter days ahead for St. Augustine’s University. I am extremely optimistic, I’m excited about the future of this university and I’m going to do everything humanly possible to make certain that the doors of this university stay open,” Ward said.

After years of accreditation probation, St. Augustine’s faces a deadline in the coming months to make improvements.

Ward said the university overhauled its financial systems and increased fundraising.

A new freshman class is scheduled to arrive at the school Wednesday.