Selma University will be hosting a “Day of Unity” Saturday on its campus from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to raise badly-needed funds to pay off the school’s more than $785,000 debt to the U.S. Department of Education and establish an endowment fund that will be used to improve the campus and restore the school’s athletics program.

Additionally, 105.3 FM will be hosting a radio-thon to raise money for the school from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday.

“It’s a forward thrust,” said Selma University President Dr. Alvin Cleveland of the Saturday fundraiser. “We don’t want to drown in just getting the debt paid off. We’re still going to move forward…we want to make this a better campus.”

Cleveland noted that the debt stems from “inadequate paperwork and incomplete files” related to the Federal Student Financial Assistance Program – as a result, the school was not recertified for the program and required to pay back the aid funds.

Cleveland said the school has put a self-imposed deadline of 60 days to pay off the debt and raise money for future efforts.

“This weekend is an opportunity for us to raise awareness,” said Selma University Vice President for Academic Affairs Stanford Angion, who recently pleaded the university’s case before the Selma City Council and Dallas County Commission. “We really want the community to show its love and support for the university.”

But Angion and Cleveland aren’t stopping there – Selma University’s parent organization, the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention, is committed to raising $1 million for the university and the school is already looking to partner with philanthropists, alumni, local businesses and others to raise the needed funds.

“We may not raise $20,000 on Saturday, but at least people can contribute and be involved,” Cleveland said.

According to a press release, Selma University generates around $7 million in total economic impact for the area and generates some 120 jobs in the school and beyond.

“We’re hoping for a great turnout this weekend, but the campaign doesn’t end there,” Angion said.