I write to express my concerns regarding a May 12 article suggesting that Missouri Baptist University faces risk of closure due to financial difficulties. ("Fontbonne University is closing. Which other colleges are at risk of shutting down?," May 12.) It was disheartening to see such claims made without seeking comment from University representatives.
In my 32 years at MBU, the institution has never ended a fiscal year in the red. Even amid the turbulence of the higher education landscape, MBU has grown financial reserves to the highest level in University history.
Recognizing fluctuating enrollment trends several years ago, we proactively and strategically diversified our enrollment model to mitigate potential impacts. We have seen significant growth in graduate and online programs and, in 2022, brought in our largest freshmen class.
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Moreover, the article failed to highlight any of the innovative initiatives MBU has implemented to serve our community and increase access to affordable education. These include a subscription partnership with local Chick-fil-A restaurants allowing their employees to attend MBU tuition-free, our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that fast-tracks students into nursing careers, and our partnerships with over 20 school districts to offer tuition discounts to teachers.
Additionally, the reference to a gift from a donor was portrayed negatively. To clarify, this annual donation is a denominational grant from the Missouri Baptist Convention. Such funding functions similarly to an endowment, enabling us to provide excellent educational experiences for students.
We hope future reporting includes direct dialogues with institutional leaders, ensuring accuracy regarding our positive contributions.
Keith L. Ross, Ed.D.
President of Missouri Baptist University