By Bob Allen
The South Carolina Baptist Convention has resumed funding for North Greenville University, after convention leaders said they were satisfied with the way the board of trustees handled a scandal involving the school’s former president.
The state convention’s executive board passed a resolution in October supporting the university’s trustees after meetings about the departure of President Jimmy Epting in January. Originally described as a retirement for reasons including health, the termination raised eyebrows after a video posted online showed what appeared to be the president’s son confronting him about an extramarital affair.
In September the executive board halted payments of $1.2 million in convention funds budgeted for the university in the current year pending outcome of the investigation. A news release Oct. 26 said the previously withheld Cooperative Program funds had been “completely reinstated.”
Marshall Blalock, chairman of the board’s budget, finance and audit committee, said while the convention elects trustees that are responsible for governing North Greenville University, convention leaders wanted to ensure that all its entities are managed in ways that ensure financial security.
“This year, Dr. Epting’s retirement and the suddenness of it brought questions about his retirement,” Blalock said. “This summer, there was an awkward video that was publicly released, and that created more questions about leadership.”
Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church of Charleston, S.C., said university officials answered questions “with clarity and complete transparency,” convincing the convention leadership that “North Greenville is actively moving forward in a way that is totally consistent with our convention’s morals and values.”
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