On April 26, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), sometimes referred to as the “Miracle on Oakwood”, announced a generous gift of $132,469 from the Alfred Street Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, to clear the outstanding cumulative debt of graduating seniors. The donation allowed 11 of 25 students in the Class of 2025 to graduate debt-free ahead of the university’s commencement on May 3.
Previously, the university had informed students that they would be unable to participate in the commencement ceremony if they had outstanding balances. While more than half the students were able to resolve their financial obligations, 11 students still required assistance. Determined to participate in the commencement ceremony, these seniors wrote letters detailing their financial hardships and expressing gratitude for any support. SAU alumni and couple Gilbert and Carolyn Knowles, who are also members of the Alfred Street Baptist Church, learned of the students’ situation and asked their church for assistance.
Founded in 1803, the Alfred Street Baptist Church is one of the nation's oldest and largest predominantly African-American congregations, with approximately 60% of its 13,000 members being graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The church has long been committed to education and social justice, having previously provided support to HBCUs. In 2019, the church raised $150,000 in a single weekend, donating $100,000 to Howard University to pay off the debts of 34 students, and another $50,000 to assist Bennett College.
The act of generosity by the Alfred Street Baptist Church comes at a critical time for SAU, which currently faces a number of challenges, including mounting debt and the loss of its accreditation. Such a loss impacts the university’s eligibility to receive federal funding, such as Pell Grants, which supported approximately 76% of SAU students in 2023. Following an unsuccessful appeal to reinstate its accreditation, the university announced that it would pursue a 90-day arbitration process with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to ensure that all students graduating in May will earn degrees from an accredited institution.
