By Cash Michaels
Contributing Writer
Tuesday, September 2nd, was supposed to be the beginning of a promising new chapter for St. Augustine’s University (SAU) in Raleigh, with a virtual start to the new academic school year, and a federal court granting a preliminary injunction, allowing the small private HBCU to keep it’s accreditation while it mounts its legal case against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
But now, there is more drama for the beleaguered institution.
Late Sunday night on its website, the SAU Board of Trustees announced that Dr. Marcus H. Burgess had resigned as interim SAU president, effectively August 31st. The board statement indicated that Dr. Burgess actually resigned “for personal reasons” on July 16th, to become effective on August 31st.
Dr. Burgess had served as interim president since December 2023 after Dr. Christine McPhail, SAU’s last permanent president, had been fired. Dr. McPhail has since filed a discrimination lawsuit over her termination.
Before coming to SAU in 2023, Dr. Burgess served as vice president for Institutional Advancement at Claflin University in South Carolina, his alma mater.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Burgess for his leadership and service during a pivotal period in the University’s history. His commitment and dedication to the mission of Saint Augustine’s University have been deeply valued,” the SAU Trustee Board Sunday night statement noted.
“Effective immediately, Dr. Verjanis A. Peoples, Interim Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs of Saint Augustine’s University, has assumed administrative responsibilities and will serve in this capacity until further notice,” the SAU Board statement continued. “Dr. Peoples brings extensive academic and administrative experience and will provide steady leadership and continuity during this transition.”
Dr. Peoples previously served as dean of Education, Arts and Humanities, and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA.
Though the change in leadership is seemingly sudden, it is not surprising.
SAU’s Board of Trustees recently changed chairmen, with Brian Boulware stepping down several weeks ago, and Sophie L. Gibson taking over the helm, also bringing along a new vice chairwoman.
