Shorter University to Receive $7.2 Million from Georgia Baptist Convention

November 16, 2011 - This week, representatives to the Georgia Baptist Convention’s (GBC) annual meeting ensured that Georgia’s Baptist colleges won’t have to pay for the nation’s economic downturn.

Shorter University will receive $7.2 million thanks to the voting members who attended the GBC’s annual meeting held Nov. 14 and 15 at North Metro First Baptist Church in Lawrenceville.

The additional funds come after the GBC acted to simplify and clarify the convention’s budget. The convention voted to do away with its Capital Improvements Endowment Program (CIEP), which had previously allowed institutions to apply for CIEP funds. Under the new structure, the $7.2 million endowment that was earmarked for Shorter has been transferred from the convention to the Shorter University Board of Trustees. The funds are now available for use on board-approved projects.

“It is significant that in a time of economic downturn that Georgia Baptists have demonstrated such strong support of their academic institutions,” said Shorter University President Dr. Don Dowless. “We thank the Lord and Georgia Baptists for this tremendous gift that will ensure our ability to help transform lives through Christ.”

The convention also approved its 2012 budget, which includes a reallocation of the annual allotment for all GBC institutions, including three Baptist colleges. In the 2012 budget year, Shorter will receive $2 million through the Cooperative Program budget of the Georgia Baptist Convention. In 2011, Shorter received $2.3 million. “The Georgia Baptists have adjusted their budget as they do each year,” Dr. Dowless said. “We are grateful for their continued support of Shorter University.”

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian university committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges, and the Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its lists of best value and best Southeastern colleges. The university offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Leadership. General education and calculus courses are offered in an online format, and Shorter recently launched online programs that lead toward the Associate of Science, the Bachelor of Business Administration, and the Master of Accountancy degrees. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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