But the college was crumbling behind closed doors. Enrollment grew too fast and students had to be housed at a nearby hotel. Creditors clamored for payment. The school wasn't taking in enough money to operate.
On Monday, Cross pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement for defrauding the government of financial aid money, admitting to knowingly accepting money for students who were not enrolled to try to stave off the school's impending financial crisis. Cross also has agreed to pay $11,000 in restitution to the government, the amount the federal Department of Education said it is owed stemming from the fraud charge.
The plea deal brought to a close the six-year saga that began with Cross's presidency and ended with the college losing its accreditation and two top former administrators facing prison time.
Cross, 69, along with former financial aid director Parvesh Singh, were charged in a 34-count federal indictment in 2004 for misappropriating student financial aid. While she and Singh used the federal aid to try to patch financial holes at Morris Brown, neither benefited personally from the fraud, lawyers for both sides said Monday. Each of the charges carried a maximum sentence of two to five years.
Cross will likely be sentenced in August, and the government is recommending that she receive 10 to 16 months in prison. Her lawyers have asked that she receive zero to six months and that U.S. District Court Judge Julie Carnes take into account Cross's medical condition. Her lawyers declined to elaborate on Cross' health.
Singh, 64, also pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement last week and was to receive a reduced sentence for cooperating in the case against Cross. Singh blamed Cross for pressuring the department to meet payouts and payroll in court last week.
Cross declined to be interviewed Monday but released a statement through her attorney, Drew Findling.
"I will always regret what happened, " Cross said. "And I apologize to the students, faculty and staff of Morris Brown College."
In 2002, months after Cross left the college, the agency that oversees Southern schools revoked Morris Brown's accreditation, the most serious sanction that can be taken against a college. Accreditation is certification that a college provides a reasonably good quality education. The commission cited the school's grave financial situation and lack of a viable recovery plan.
Findling said Cross, a longtime educator, had hoped her presidency would improve the college's academic standing and "build on the college's traditions."
Since its founding, Morris Brown has cited a mission of helping students who otherwise might not be able to attend college. About 90 percent qualified for federal financial aid.
"She is proud of the progress that the college made during her presidency, Findling said. "Despite Dr. Cross's efforts, at the end of her presidency, financial pressures on the school were at a crisis level. She has admitted that after the Sept. 10, 2001, letter from the Department of Education she should have taken action and prevented the misapplication of federal funds. which was occurring in the financial aid office."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Joey Burby said the government was "very satisfied" with the deal. He said the government was ready to pursue all the charges laid out in the indictment, but evidence was strongest against Cross in the count to which she pleaded guilty.
"It was very important for us that the school be allowed to close this chapter, " Burby said. "She has accepted responsibility and the school can move forward."
Now administrators at Morris Brown, which still faces class action lawsuits from students and other litigation from creditors, say they will focus on the future. At its height during Cross' tenure, the college's enrollment had swelled to 2,700 students. Just 44 students remain.
"The Morris Brown College family is elated that this sad chapter in the college's history has come to closure, " said Getchel Caldwell, the school's vice president for institutional advancement. "We look forward to moving forward with rebuilding the college."
