One Year Later at Sweet Briar, Counting Successes

One year after a new administration took the reins — an apt metaphor for a college known internationally for its riding program — Sweet Briar is celebrating its successes. The private women’s college in Amherst County surpassed a $10 million fundraising goal by June 30 as part of the ambitious two-year, $30 million Next is Now campaign. The new money is in addition to the $12 million alumnae raised to keep the college open this past academic year. The new administration spent none of the endowment — neither the restricted-use funds that were made available by the state Attorney General’s Office to help with operating expenses nor earnings on the endowment itself. And for the fall semester, the school expects to meet its target of 324 students, up from 236 who enrolled after the state-mediated reprieve last June.