'We cannot let it die': Couple who met at St. Augustine's urging fellow alum to donate to the university

As St. Augustine’s University is on the brink of closing its doors, alumni are asking for others to donate money to the embattled historically Black university.

Two former students, Carolyn Knowles and her husband, Gilbert Knowles, donated $10,000 to the university.

“This institution is over 157 years old,” she said. “We cannot let it die.”

The couple met at the university in the 70s, and Carolyn Knowles said she’s been “ride or die” for the university since she graduated and began working at NASA.

“It was such a launching pad for me that thrust us into a world that we’ve been able to not only survive but thrive,” she said. “We believe in giving of our time, talent and money; that’s where we’re coming from.

The school is currently in financial crisis, facing a possible loss of accreditation, struggling to pay employees and sending students home on April 1.

Carolyn said that seeing the school in trouble compelled her to act.

“What can we do to help us get out of this situation?” she asked.

Despite the “dire situation,” Interim President Dr. Marcus Burgess has said the university will remain open.

Burgess personally accepted the check from the couple. According to Gilbert Knowles, the donation moved Burgess to tears.

“She pulls out this $10,000 check, he looked at the check, and tears came to his eyes,” he said. “I felt the love he has for this school and for it to do well.”

Burgess released a statement following the donation.

“We are thankful for the leadership demonstrated by the Knowles and many other alums during this critical time. Gifts such as these are a testament that our alumni are coming out and supporting the Falcon Pride Initiative. They are encouraging others to do what they can to match, go above, or just do what they simply can, no matter the amount.”

The couple are now encouraging other alumni to donate to the school and save it, so others can have the same launching pad they did.

‘Whether it’s $1, $10, $1,000 or $10,000, it would be wonderful to get a supporter who may have millions to adopt us and help us out,” Carolyn Knowles said. “We are in it to win it.”