DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Struggling Bethune-Cookman University has selected the dean of the University of Denver's College of Business as its next president.
The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports Dr. Brent Chrite will take over as the university's seventh president on July 1.
Recommended Videos
The Daytona Beach school is in the midst of a FBI and Department of Education investigation into a $25 million student housing project. And Chrite arrives just one week after a regional accrediting body is scheduled to decide whether to remove or extend its probationary sanction or revoke its accreditation entirely.
Chrite says he and his wife were inspired by students they met during a visit to the campus.
He previously served as dean at Monclair State University and held leadership positions at the University of Arizona and the University of Michigan.
The Wells Fargo foreclosure action lawsuit against Bethune Cookman University is ongoing. As of March 4 it owes Wells Fargo more than $88 million according to lawsuit documents and a review of the audit.
In April, BCU launched one of many fundraising campaigns to keep from closing its doors. The "BCU Brick" campaign, the "Millionaire's Club" campaign and the "I Leave You Love" campaign. All geared toward alumni donors and community supporters to help pay off debts and provide student scholarships.
Supporters can text Love-B-C-U to the number 4-1-4-4-4 to donate. St. Paul A-M-E church in Duval county raised $16,000.
It is one of 3 HBCU's in Florida... its legacy more than 100 years old. The universities' founder Mary McLeod Bethuine is buried on the campus grounds.