Georgia high court agrees to hear Shorter appeal

ROME, Ga.  — The Georgia Supreme Court has agreed to hear Shorter College’s appeal of a court’s decision in favor of the Georgia Baptist Convention, according to the court clerk’s office Sept. 14.

A state appeals court ruled March 17 that Shorter College’s dissolution and reorganization that created a self-perpetuating board of trustees last year “cannot stand” without the Georgia Baptist Convention’s approval. The state Supreme Court will now hear arguments in the case, although no court date has been set.

The college transferred its assets to a new foundation in April 2003. The new entity was then named as Shorter College Inc.

The college has claimed in recent years that the convention has put the college’s accreditation at risk by unduly influencing trustees. Convention leaders charge Shorter President Ed Schrader and trustees with trying to remove the Georgia Baptist Convention as the rightful owner of the college.