Since Mary McLeod Bethune founded what we now know as Bethune Cookman University more than 100 years ago, it has been an essential part of our community. It has helped shape the culture of our region, enriched our community with bright young minds, and provided outstanding education to countless young men and women

The details of the financing of the dorm buildings at BCU read like Mad Libs, the numbers are all over the place. What should be clear to everyone is that the students shouldn’t be the ones to bear this burden.

They shouldn’t worry about their dorms being sold out from under them.

They shouldn’t be squeezed for every nickel to fill the financial holes dug without their consent.

The misdeeds of developers and former administrators shouldn’t derail their education.

This community and the taxpayers of this nation have been good to Wells Fargo, bailing them out from financial crisis. The recent tax reform bill saved Wells Fargo $3 Billion... for the 4th quarter of 2017 alone.

I’m challenging Wells Fargo to step up and give these dorms to Bethune Cookman University, as a donation.

This is a relatively small thing they can do to give back to our community.

In return, these students will learn and grow. They will be the innovators, entrepreneurs, and educators of the next generation. Many of them will build their families and their homes here in Volusia County. That’s what makes our community strong and vibrant.