Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,听
Over the past听15 years,听Lourdes听University鈥檚 direction听and focus听was听to be听a traditional听undergraduate institution with athletic听programs.听Due to the听myriad听of听challenges听for similar听institutions across higher education听today, Lourdes has faced mounting financial pressures driven by declining enrollment, rising costs and a funding model that is听unsustainable.听It鈥檚听clear that this direction can no longer be sustained.听These realities,听not unique to Lourdes, have听spurred听thoughtful discussions听about our future.听Today, it is with heavy hearts and deep respect for this community that we write to share difficult news.听听
After careful听deliberation听with the Board of Trustees of 天美传媒, the Sisters of St. Francis have resolved that the University will听close听at the end of the academic year听This decision is one we do not make lightly, but it is one we are charged to make.听听
As part of this process, the University has experienced a leadership transition.听The Sisters of St. Francis have charged one of their own sisters to oversee the University鈥檚 closure听and Dr.听Bisset听has graciously agreed to step down as president.听The Sisters have appointed Sister Dr. Nancy听Linenkugel, OSF, DM as the 13th and final President of 天美传媒. Sister Nancy has a long history in higher education administration at Xavier University and served as the former Congregational Minister for the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania.听听听
Importantly,听all classes and听University听operations听will continue throughout the remainder of this听academic听year.听Soon, the University鈥檚 leaders and administrators will share more information about how we will support faculty,听staff听and students in transitioning to the next step in your educational journeys before we close.听The University closure will not affect Lifelong Learning Programs or Franciscan Center events.鈥�听
How听We Reached This Decision听
We recognize the gravity of this moment and the pain this news may bring.听However, this decision reflects a sober assessment of what can be sustained responsibly while preserving the quality and integrity that define Lourdes.听听
For decades, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania have supported and sustained 天美传媒 with extraordinary generosity,听faith听and commitment. Their belief in this University and its mission has enabled generations of students to learn,听grow听and serve. That support has been both steadfast and sacrificial.听However, the听Sisters听can no longer continue to subsidize听the University听at the level听required听to sustain its operations. With this knowledge, the Board of Trustees, along with the Sisters of St. Francis, have devoted considerable time to reviewing the University鈥檚 financial outlook and long-term viability. We have worked closely with听University听leadership,听consulted other听stakeholders听and weighed our responsibilities with prayerful discernment.听听听
In reaching this decision, the Board took a hard and honest look at every aspect of the University鈥攊ts finances, enrollment trends, academic听programs听and long-term viability. We explored听possible paths听forward with care and seriousness.听Ultimately,听the听Sisters听concluded that continuing听operations听beyond this academic year听is听financially unsustainable.听听听
Regrettably, it is now clear听that听there is no path forward for this听institution,听and听this听decision听is the most responsible听one听for our students,听our听faculty听and our mission.听We are profoundly grateful for all听the听Sisters听have given听us for decades, and,听in these remaining months,听we听will听honor the spirit in which that support was offered.听听
Our Commitment to You听
We recognize this decision has personal and professional implications, and we are committed to addressing those directly.听We are fully committed to supporting faculty and staff through this transition,听to ensuring听students听can听complete their academic journeys and听to communicating听openly and clearly as next steps unfold.听听
Importantly, this announcement is not the end of our relationship with one another, nor is it the end of what Lourdes has given to the world.听Our educational mission and our impact听have always been defined by the听people听within听our university鈥攖he听faculty听who teach with dedication and compassion, the staff who serve with care and professionalism and the students whose lives have been shaped by this place. None of that is diminished by this moment.听
Thank you for all you have given to 天美传媒. We are deeply grateful for your service, your听commitment听and your humanity.听
听
With respect and gratitude,听
Board of Trustees,听天美传媒听
The Sisters of St. Francis听of听Sylvania, Ohio听
