"While Saturday was his last day, SAU noted he submitted his resignation July 16. "We extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Burgess for his leadership and service during a pivotal period in the University's history. His commitment and dedication to the mission of Saint Augustine's University have been deeply valued," SAU's Board of Trustees said in a statement. Trustees noted Burgess stepped down for "personal reasons.""
"Burgess, a veteran administrator who has served at other HBCUs, tendered his resignation the same week that arbitrators rejected Saint Augustine's appeal to remain accredited after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges first stripped SAU's accreditation over financial and governance issues in late 2023, prompting a lengthy legal battle. But last month a court intervened and restored SAU's accreditation."
"Peoples will now step into a leadership role that has seen much turnover in recent years. Irving Pressley McPhail briefly served as president in 2020 before dying during the pandemic due to COVID-19 complications. He was succeeded by his wife, Christine McPhail, who was fired in 2023 and subsequently sued the board, accusing it of gender-based discrimination. That legal battle is ongoing."
Marcus H. Burgess resigned after 18 months as interim president of Saint Augustine's University, submitting his resignation on July 16 with his last day on Saturday. The Board of Trustees expressed gratitude and said he stepped down for personal reasons. Burgess did not respond to a LinkedIn request for comment. Provost Verjanis A. Peoples will serve as interim president as the fall semester began virtually. Burgess resigned the same week arbitrators rejected SAU's appeal after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges stripped accreditation over financial and governance issues in late 2023, though a court restored accreditation last month. Board chair Brian Boulware also stepped down from his leadership role but remains a trustee amid alumni complaints, and the institution has experienced multiple recent leadership changes including the 2020 death of Irving Pressley McPhail and the 2023 firing and subsequent lawsuit by Christine McPhail.
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