University of Bridgeport remembers the Rev. Moon

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — University of Bridgeport officials say the Rev. Sun Myung Moon was a friend of the school who helped rescue it from financial problems in the early 1990s.

The head of the controversial Unification Church died Monday in South Korea. He was 92.

UB spokeswoman Leslie Geary says university officials appreciated Moon's support and offered their condolences to his family.

The university nearly closed in 1991 because of money problems. It was rescued by the Professors World Peace Academy, which was funded by the Unification Church and gave the school $110 million over a dozen years ending in 2003.

Many school officials and students opposed the academy's support and dubbed the school "Moonie U." during protests. Moon's church was accused of using devious recruitment tactics and duping followers out of money.