RALEIGH – On July 1, Russian climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus scaled the Empire State Building’s antenna and unfurled a banner about the power of love and peace.

On Facebook, a former St. Augustine’s University student used the moment to unfurl his version of the photo laced with expletives toward former and current administrators over the deteriorating state of the HBCU.

After 159 years, the university – which was originally chartered as a “Normal School and Collegiate Institute” graduated its last accredited class in May: Breann Bannister, an elementary education major; Nazir Imhotep (sport management); Israel Pennerman (public health science) and Nicholas Black (exercise science).

SAU, which has no students, is awaiting a judge’s ruling after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

According to financial records the public can view for a fee, the university owes from $50 million to $100 million to between 200 and 1,000 creditors. This doesn’t include the Internal Revenue Service, which is seeking its $14 million cut.

Chapter 11 is akin to a do-over. Individuals or companies in massive debt can file and, if approved, restructure debt. Everybody that’s owed won’t get paid, however, and most won’t see a penny.

It’s not the bigger companies that are most affected, but smaller vendors struggling to survive, employees who counted on their pensions in their latter years and students owed tuition refunds or work study money, that have been hurt the most. And to even attempt to collect will probably require hiring a lawyer. Who can afford that?

“I’m so hurt,” legendary SAU track and field coach/athletic director George Williams said. “I just don’t know why all the presidents that came through there didn’t follow Dr. (Prezell) Robinson’s blueprint. The guy had a blueprint. The man was excellent.”

Robinson, whom many call St. Aug’s greatest president, died on June 29 at 105 years old. He lived across from the university on Glascock Street. His body will lie in repose on July 10 from 12-4 p.m., at the campus chapel.

“He loved the chapel,” Williams said. “He did everything to make sure it stayed afloat and in good condition.”

Despite SAU’s downfall, with millions in federal funds still unaccounted for, Williams and alumni are holding out hope the school can be saved.

The National Alumni Association of SAU raised almost $27,700 in its recent “Soar & Rise Campaign.” The gift is unrestricted.

“Every gift represented an expression of pride, faith and belief in the future of our beloved alma mater,” NAA-SAU outgoing president Johnelle Sherald, a 1976 graduate, said. “We are thankful to every alumnus, alumna, chapter and friend who participated in this effort, and we look forward to continuing to support SAU in meaningful ways.”

The university updated its website on Tuesday announcing the launch of professional certificate programs beginning in the fall. The nondegree online programs will be developed and taught by faculty.

A returning online course is the Teacher Residency Licensure Program in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

For Williams, it’s not about holding a grudge over the way he was fired six years ago. His 39 NCAA Division II national track championships and numerous CIAA titles would never have happened if Robinson hadn’t taken a chance on him over 55 years ago. St. Aug’s is still near and dear to his heart.

“I’m very proud that he hired me to be a part of the St. Aug’s family,” Williams said. “I don’t know where I would have been without that hire. …We cannot lose that institution.”

SAU’s next bankruptcy hearing is scheduled for July 28.

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