Despite the woes Montreat College is facing, we think the community and future generations would benefit from figuring out a way to keep the unique educational institution financially viable.

As of this writing, the fate of Montreat College, founded in 1916, remains in limbo, with potentially unresolvable cash woes looming.

One point of contention that no longer exists is (what was viewed by some as) the threat of a merger of the college into Point University near Atlanta. The plan revealed last summer was rejected Feb. 24 by Point’s board of trustees.

The board said its decision not to pursue the merger was “due to complications involving legal agreements” and the controversy within the Montreat College community.

However, the college’s future remains murky because as it continues to average a $3 million deficit annually, with a rapidly disappearing financial cushion. 

Some of our top reasons for wanting to keep Montreat College afloat as a small,  private Christian liberal arts college, include the following:

• The college has shown an ability to produce successful graduates in today’s increasingly competitive world.

• As a smaller school emphasizing Christian values, it provides much-needed diversity in the academic arena. 

• The college provides economic benefits not only to the students, faculty and staff, but spinoffs to the area in general.

Indeed, we believe the college is invaluable and encourage someone with deep pockets to step up and save this gem.