Lourdes University, a private Catholic university in Sylvania, Ohio, has announced that it will permanently close at the end of the current academic year after years of declining enrollment and mounting financial challenges. The decision, approved by the university’s Board of Trustees, marks the end of one of northwest Ohio’s longstanding higher education institutions and affects students, faculty, staff, alumni and the surrounding community.
University leaders said classes, student services and campus operations will continue through the academic year while transition plans are put in place. Officials cited declining student enrollment, rising operating expenses and an increasingly unsustainable tuition-driven financial model as the primary reasons behind the closure.
Financial Pressures Led to the Decision
According to the Board of Trustees, Lourdes University has faced growing financial pressure for several years. Lower enrollment reduced tuition revenue while inflation and higher operating costs continued to increase expenses, making it difficult for the university to remain financially viable.
The university said the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, which founded and sponsored Lourdes, had provided substantial financial support over many years. However, the congregation said it is no longer able to subsidize university operations at the level needed to keep the institution open.
New Leadership Will Guide the Final Transition
As part of the closure process, the Sisters of St. Francis have appointed Sister Dr. Nancy Linenkugel as Lourdes University’s 13th and final president. She will oversee operations through the completion of the academic year and coordinate the institution’s orderly closure.
Current president William J. Bisset will step down. Linenkugel acknowledged the emotional impact of the announcement, describing Lourdes as a close-knit educational community built on Franciscan values and decades of service to students.
Students Can Complete the Current Academic Year
University officials emphasized that campus operations will continue as scheduled through the remainder of the academic year. Students will complete current courses without interruption while administrators prepare individual transition plans.
The university said additional information regarding graduation requirements, transcripts, transfer opportunities and degree completion will be provided directly to students and families. A student town hall meeting has already been scheduled, with a virtual session for parents expected to follow.
Officials also confirmed that the university’s Lifelong Learning Programs and activities hosted at the Franciscan Center will continue and are not affected by the closure announcement.
University of Toledo to Support Student Transfers
To help students continue their education, the University of Toledo (UToledo) has agreed to serve as Lourdes University’s official teach-out partner. Students in good academic standing will be eligible for admission into comparable academic programs, subject to accreditation requirements and transfer policies.
UToledo President Dr. James Holloway described Lourdes as an important institution in the region and said the university would work closely with affected students to help them complete their degrees with as little disruption as possible.
Part of a National Trend Affecting Small Private Colleges
Lourdes University’s closure reflects broader challenges facing many smaller private colleges across the United States. Faith-based and liberal arts institutions have struggled with changing demographics, fewer college-age students, higher operating costs and increased competition for enrollment.
Nearby Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, has also announced plans to close after the 2025–2026 academic year, highlighting the financial pressures confronting tuition-dependent colleges throughout the region.
More Than Six Decades of History
Lourdes traces its origins to the early 1940s, when an extension program of the College of St. Teresa began on the Sylvania Franciscan campus. The institution officially became Lourdes Junior College in 1958 and earned regional accreditation in 1964.
Over the following decades, Lourdes expanded steadily. It admitted lay women in 1969, became independently incorporated in 1973, welcomed its first male students in 1975, gained authority to award bachelor’s degrees during the early 1980s and officially adopted the name Lourdes University in 2011.
Founded by the Sisters of St. Francis, the institution became known as northwest Ohio’s only Catholic liberal arts university, serving generations of students through undergraduate, graduate and professional education.
Community Response and the Road Ahead
Community organizations quickly responded following the announcement. Sylvania Schools confirmed that athletic fields shared with Lourdes University will remain available throughout the spring season, ensuring no disruption for local student-athletes.
The Diocese of Toledo expressed disappointment over the closure of the region’s only Catholic liberal arts university. Bishop Daniel Thomas offered prayers and support to students, faculty, staff and the Sisters of St. Francis as they begin the transition.
University officials said dedicated teams are now focused on transfer planning, faculty transitions, preservation of academic records and helping students complete their education. While more operational details will be released in the coming weeks, leaders say their priority is providing a smooth and respectful conclusion to the academic year.
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The university said additional updates regarding transfer pathways, academic records and student support will be shared directly with students and families as the closure process continues. Official announcements and transition information are available through the Lourdes University website.
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