President Stone calls on the Sweet Briar community to make history
Posted on June 24, 2016 by Staff Writer
A year ago, Sweet Briar College narrowly avoided closure. Alumnae, faced with the prospect of their beloved alma mater shutting its doors forever, mobilized to raise enough money to keep them open. Their actions galvanized the entire community — faculty, students, parents, staff and friends of the College — to pull together in the fight for Sweet Briar. A settlement was reached with the previous administration, effective June 23, 2015, and the College was saved.
On July 2, a brand new board of directors was installed and President Phil Stone was appointed to lead the College on its path forward. But the attempted closure came at a high cost — about $30 million. Recognizing the additional burden this deficit would impose during a time of recovery, College leaders launched a special initiative to immediately raise $10 million by the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2016, and $20 million next year.
For the past 10 months, the Sweet Briar community has come together like never before to reach the $10 million goal. With one week to go, and the mark in sight, President Stone talks about finishing the job and what it means to be a part of that effort.
On July 2, a brand new board of directors was installed and President Phil Stone was appointed to lead the College on its path forward. But the attempted closure came at a high cost — about $30 million. Recognizing the additional burden this deficit would impose during a time of recovery, College leaders launched a special initiative to immediately raise $10 million by the end of this fiscal year, June 30, 2016, and $20 million next year.
For the past 10 months, the Sweet Briar community has come together like never before to reach the $10 million goal. With one week to go, and the mark in sight, President Stone talks about finishing the job and what it means to be a part of that effort.
