Quick Read
- Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, will close permanently at the end of the 2026 Spring semester.
- The decision, announced February 11, 2026, is due to declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and an unsustainable funding model.
- Sister Nancy Linenkugel will serve as the 13th and final president to oversee the closure, replacing William J. Bisset.
- The University of Toledo has committed to being a “teach-out” partner, accepting Lourdes students in good standing.
- The closure will not affect the Franciscan Center events or the Lourdes Lifelong Learning Program.
SYLVANIA (Azat TV) – Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, will cease operations at the end of the 2026 Spring semester, marking the conclusion of a nearly seven-decade legacy for the Catholic Franciscan institution. The decision, announced by the Board of Trustees on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, stems from significant financial pressures, including declining enrollment and escalating operational costs, rendering its current funding model unsustainable.
The university, known for its personalized approach and diverse degree programs, will continue to operate through May 2026, ensuring that all scheduled courses, academic programming, and student services are completed. Some academic programs that do not conclude in May will extend into the summer. This closure highlights the mounting challenges faced by smaller private institutions in the evolving landscape of higher education.
Lourdes University Cites Financial Challenges and Enrollment Decline
The Board of Trustees, in a joint statement with the Sisters of St. Francis, confirmed that continued operations beyond this academic year are financially unsustainable. Sister Nancy Linenkugel, who has been named the university’s 13th and final president to oversee the closure, stated that the Sisters can no longer subsidize the university at the level required to sustain its operations. William J. Bisset, who assumed the presidency in 2023, is stepping down from his role.
Lourdes University’s challenges mirror a broader trend impacting higher education institutions across the United States. Factors such as a shrinking pool of traditional college-aged students, increased competition, and the rising cost of delivering quality education have put immense strain on many universities. For Lourdes, these pressures led to a decline in enrollment, with Fall 2023 data from U.S. News and World Report indicating a total enrollment of 1,014 students, comprising 827 undergraduates and 187 graduate students.
Ensuring a Smooth Transition for Lourdes Students
University leadership has prioritized supporting students, faculty, and staff through this transition. Immediate efforts are focused on securing “teach-out” partners to facilitate student transfers and ensure academic pathways can be completed with clarity and care. The University of Toledo has already committed to serving as a primary transfer partner.
James Holloway, President of the University of Toledo, expressed sadness about Lourdes’ closure but affirmed his institution’s readiness to assist. “All interested Lourdes students in good standing will be admitted to UToledo in a program aligned with their major and, to the fullest extent allowed by our accreditors, be supported to finish their degrees,” Holloway stated. While acknowledging that UToledo, as a state institution, cannot replicate Lourdes’ spiritual environment, he emphasized the presence of diverse student communities of faith on campus and welcomed support from the local Catholic community.
Kate Beutel, Provost and Chief Administrative Officer at Lourdes, confirmed that additional transfer partners are being identified, particularly for degree programs not offered by the University of Toledo. Students and parents are directed to Lourdes.edu/closure for ongoing updates. Faculty and staff were informed during an all-staff meeting on Wednesday morning, February 11, with a town hall for students scheduled for Thursday, and a virtual meeting with parents slated for the following week.
Lourdes University’s Legacy and Community Impact
Founded as Lourdes Junior College in 1958 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, the institution initially served Catholic women. It became independently incorporated as Lourdes College in 1973, admitting men two years later. The college transitioned to a four-year institution in the early 1980s and officially became Lourdes University in 2011, expanding its offerings to include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nearly 50 disciplines.
The university’s commitment to social mobility was recognized by U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 edition of Best Colleges, which ranked it No. 58 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. This ranking highlights its success in enrolling and graduating economically disadvantaged students, underscoring its historical mission of accessible education. The closure will not affect events at the Franciscan Center, a 19,000-square-foot event venue on its 127-acre suburban campus, nor the Lourdes Lifelong Learning Program.
The closure of Lourdes University follows a trend of other private, Catholic institutions facing similar fates in the region; Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, for instance, is also expected to close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. This broader pattern suggests a significant restructuring within the landscape of smaller, faith-based higher education.
The permanent closure of Lourdes University underscores the critical need for educational institutions to adapt to evolving economic realities and demographic shifts. Despite its lauded commitment to social mobility and personalized education, the financial model proved unsustainable, highlighting the profound challenges even well-regarded regional universities face in a competitive and costly sector.