A small Christian university in Gaffney, S.C. is facing possible closure if it doesn’t obtain immediate financial support of $6 million.
Drone footage of Limestone University / Video screenshot
Limestone University, founded as a non-denominational Christian women’s college in 1845, is facing imminent decisions about its continuation. The board of trustees is planning to meet on April 22 to discuss the college’s future.
The financial pressure comes from a “combination of nationwide enrollment declines, rising costs, and long-standing structural pressures facing small, private institutions,” according to the university’s press statement.
Most recent reports indicate Limestone has enrollment of about 1,600 students.
The $6 million would be sufficient to stabilize Limestone’s financial situation and give it time to pursue long-term solutions, the press statement said.
While the college may close completely, it is also considering moving to a fully online model of education. Limestone’s online program has seen strong growth and could provide long-term financial stability.
“The Board’s priority is to preserve the Limestone mission of education and service on our campus in addition to online. But without this financial lifeline, we will have no choice but to move all operations online, which means closing our physical campus,” said Randall Richardson, Limestone’s board chair.
Richardson sought to allay student fears.
“Limestone remains committed to our students and we will work directly with current students to help them identify the best path to successfully complete their educational journey. We are reaching out separately to students with information regarding options to continue their education,” he said.
Limestone is one of a growing list of small Christian colleges and universities that are closing or merging with others.
Commencement ceremony in December 2024 / Video screenshot
A long-expected demographic shift based on declining birth rates is starting to materialize.
A recent study attempted to forecast college closures based on the declining number of students who are college-age. It predicted that if the abrupt 15% decline in enrollment occurs, up to 80 additional colleges could close.
Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts, announced its plans to cease all academic operations in May 2025. The board of trustees of Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, decided in February that the college will close at the end of this academic year.
In recent years, other closures include Alliance University, Clarks Summit University, Birmingham-Southern College, Finlandia University, and Iowa Wesleyan University.
Some alumni and other friends of Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. are concerned it may be facing closure also.
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