Common Q&As.
What happened?
- A former employee of Bennett College who served as the Director of Alumnae Affairs and was a Bennett College National Alumnae Association (BNCAA) volunteer misappropriated approximately $46,000 from Bennett College and it is believed that up to $130,000 was taken from BCNAA between 2016 and 2019.
- This former employee also once served as President of the BNCAA and was a highly active and visible member of the organization while in her official role for the College.
- Bennett College leadership was alerted to possible financial malfeasance committed by the former employee shortly after President Walsh was named to the presidency in June 2019. The former employee resigned from her role with the College on August 23, 2019, and the College launched an investigation into the allegations.
- A recently completed forensic investigation confirmed the former employee’s actions.
- The College received the final forensic investigation report on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
- Bennett College has filed a police report and will fully cooperate with law enforcement on the matter.
Who is involved?
- Investigations revealed that the former employee accessed some of these funds in her official capacity as Director of Alumnae Affairs and as a highly active and visible member of BCNAA.
- Based on findings of the forensic investigation, it is believed that the former employee acted alone.
What is Bennett College’s relationship with BCNAA?
- BCNAA is an independent, private North Carolina non-profit corporation and 501 (c)(3) entity. Bennett College has no legal relationship to the BCNAA.
- The former Director of Alumnae Affairs was a highly active and visible BCNAA member while in her official role for the College.
- The College has determined that it cannot be associated with BNCAA going forward.
What is the timeline of events related to this issue?
- Bennett College leadership learned of potential irregularities prior to President Walsh taking office in June 2019. The former employee resigned from her role with the College on August 23, 2019, and the College launched an investigation into the allegations.
- The investigations involved the complex review of financial records and interviews with relevant individuals. Although the investigation has taken time, the final forensic investigation report is now complete.
- Bennett College has filed a police report and will fully cooperate with law enforcement on the matter.
What actions has Bennett College taken because of this revelation?
- Bennett College launched in depth investigations to confirm and better understand the nature and extent of the former employee’s improprieties.
- Simultaneously, Bennett College strengthened financial controls both related to donations and as part of its push towards transparency and accountability.
- Bennett College has filed a police report and will fully cooperate with law enforcement on the matter.
Were #StandwithBennett campaign funds impacted?
- There is no evidence that #StandwithBennett campaign funds were impacted. The forensic audit revealed that most of the funds were misappropriated from Alumnae donations contributed to the BCNAA.
Has Bennett College notified alumnae and donors?
- President Walsh informed alumnae, employees, donors, and supporters via correspondence and other outreach.
- Transparency and accountability remain at the forefront of Bennett College’s commitment to its community and philanthropic partners.
Will Bennett College be able to recover the funds?
- Bennett College is collaborating with legal counsel, law enforcement and insurance partners on recovering the funds stolen from the College.
Did this discovery expose any other vulnerabilities or irregularities with Bennett College that are the subject of investigation?
No.
How will Bennett College keep this from happening again?
- Business and Finance has been one of the four pillars to sustainability since President Walsh arrived. To that end, the College has implemented improved internal controls, protocols, and procedures around financial operations.
- The College has suspended its relationship with BCNAA until further notice and will be seeking to establish a new alumnae organization with appropriate oversight and controls.
- Bennett College is committed to maintaining the hyper-vigilance needed to continue the path to stability.
Are there any changes in administration that will take place because of the investigations?
- No. Bennett College believes that the former employee acted alone.
- All of Bennett College’s current administration and many of its current Board of Trustees members, including its Chair, started their terms after these crimes were committed.
What resources are available to alumnae and other members of the Bennett community?
- Alumnae and other members of the Bennett College community can call (336) 303-0866 with any questions related to this matter.