Key Points:
- Lourdes University closure is confirmed, with the university shutting down after this academic year due to financial strain and low enrollment.
- Leadership is guiding students through transfers, degree completion, and record support.
- The University of Toledo will serve as a teach-out partner to ensure academic continuity.
Lourdes University in Sylvania has announced it will permanently close at the end of the current academic year. The decision was confirmed by the university Board of Trustees, which cited financial pressures linked to declining enrollment, rising costs, and an unsustainable funding model.
Leadership Transition And Support For Students
As part of the Lourdes University closure, the Sisters of St. Francis have appointed Sister Dr. Nancy Linenkugel as the university’s 13th and final president. She will guide the institution through its final months of operation. Current president William J. Bisset has agreed to step down from his role.
In a statement, Sister Nancy Linenkugel said the Sisters have always focused on education and student success since opening Lourdes College in 1958. She noted that the Sisters can no longer continue financial support at the level required to sustain operations. She added that the community shares the sense of loss felt by students and faculty as the institution approaches its final term.
The university will remain fully operational through the remainder of the academic year. Officials stated that Lifelong Learning Programs and events at the Franciscan Center will not be affected by the closure.
The board emphasized that the immediate priority during the Lourdes University closure is to support students, faculty, and staff during the transition. University leaders said they are committed to ensuring students can complete their academic pathways with clarity and care.
Information regarding degree completion, transfer options, academic records, and individualized guidance will be shared with students and families in the coming weeks. A town hall meeting for students has been scheduled, and a virtual meeting for parents will follow. Administrators stated that additional updates will be provided as details are finalized.
Teach Out Partnership And Regional Impact
To assist students in continuing their education during the Lourdes University closure, the University of Toledo has agreed to serve as a teach-out partner. Under this arrangement, Lourdes students in good standing will be admitted into programs aligned with their majors, subject to accreditation guidelines. The goal is to help students complete their degrees without disruption.
University of Toledo President Dr. James Holloway expressed support for affected students and acknowledged the uncertainty created by the closure. He stated that the institution is prepared to help Lourdes students continue their educational journey.
Lourdes University becomes one of several private Catholic institutions in the region facing closure. Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, is also expected to close at the end of the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
The Lourdes University closure marks the end of an institution that has served students for decades. For current students and educators, the focus now turns to ensuring academic continuity and preserving academic records. University leaders have stated that they are working with a dedicated team to manage the transition process and will continue to communicate updates regularly.
As the academic year concludes, the university community prepares for its final commencement, bringing to a close a chapter that began more than six decades ago.
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