Paine College prays for school's leaders ahead of appeal regarding loss of accreditation

AUGUSTA -- In a small ceremony late Friday afternoon, Paine College students and faculty gathered to pray over school leaders who will be part of an appeal Monday to save the college’s accreditation.

The Rev. Luther Felder, the campus pastor, anointed Dr. Samuel Sullivan, Paine’s president, and Mary Morale, the Chief Financial Officer, with blessed olive oil and prayed that God be with them in their quest.

“I anoint you to serve God’s purpose and be God’s witness,” Felder said as he annointed their heads and hands.

The two are among the Paine officials that will present the school’s case Monday before an appeals committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The commission voted in June to remove Paine from membership because it failed to meet three financial standards after two years of probation, the maximum allowed. Removal would essentially end Paine’s accreditation with the regional body needed to participate in some federal programs to make students eligible for financial aid. Paine remains accredited during the appeal process.

Read more: http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/education/2016-09-09/paine-college-prays-schools-leaders-ahead-appeal?v=1473473700