This is worthy of "breaking news"

Barton College's announcement that the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has reaffirmed the Wilson college's accreditation nearly hides the blockbuster in that reaccreditation: SACS has upgraded Barton's status, meaning Barton can now offer graduate-level courses. That change could be huge for Barton.

There's no indication in the announcement that graduate programs are imminent

, but it would make sense for Barton to offer graduate courses in at least a couple of fields

— business and education. BB&T has a couple of thousand employees in Wilson. An MBA from Barton could enhance a young banker's status and improve chances for promotion. Other businesses in Wilson might also take advantage of MBA classes, particularly if offered through the college's innovative Weekend College program. A master's degree in education is a ticket to better pay and potential administrative jobs for teachers. Teachers who now travel to Greenville or Raleigh for a master's degree could avoid a lot of commuting by matriculating at Barton. Again, Weekend College would fit many teachers' schedules. There may be other graduate programs — MSW, M.Div., MSN, etc. — that would be in demand.

Graduate programs would serve the community but would also elevate Barton's status. It's a tough market for small, private colleges competing against less expensive, taxpayer-subsidized, state-supported colleges and universities. Any enhancement a private college could tout would be an advantage.

Norval Kneten, Barton's president, is a pragmatic visionary who has led Barton with his eyes fixed on long-range goals, not just the next semester. He has inspired faculty, alumni and community supporters, and, no doubt, much of the credit for Barton's enhanced SACS status owes to Kneten's leadership. Barton's importance to the Wilson community is difficult to measure. Culturally and intellectually, Barton's scholars, writers and artists raise Wilson above its farm-market roots, so the college's fortunes are interwoven with the city's.

Considering Barton's importance to the community, I'm amazed that the Wilson Times has not trumpeted the news Barton announced Monday. You'd think it would be worth "breaking news" treatment.