Sylvania, Ohio — In a move that has sent shockwaves through northwest Ohio’s higher education community, Lourdes University has announced it will permanently close at the end of the current academic year, citing escalating financial challenges and declining enrollment.
The decision was confirmed Wednesday in a statement from the university’s Board of Trustees, which pointed to persistent enrollment declines, rising operational expenses and what it described as an increasingly unsustainable funding model.
Leadership Transition as Closure Begins
As part of the transition process, the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania — the institution’s founding sponsor — have appointed Sister Dr. Nancy Linenkugel as the university’s 13th and final president. She will oversee operations through the closure.
Current president William J. Bisset will step down from his role, according to the board’s announcement.
Linenkugel acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, emphasizing the university’s Franciscan mission of student-centered education. She noted that while the Sisters have long supported the institution financially, they are no longer able to subsidize operations at the level required to sustain it.
“This is a deeply relational educational community,” Linenkugel said, adding that the university community is mourning the end of an institution that has served students for decades.
Campus Operations to Continue for Now
University leaders stressed that Lourdes will remain fully operational for the remainder of the academic year. Students will be able to complete their current coursework on campus, and existing academic schedules will continue uninterrupted.
The board also clarified that Lifelong Learning Programs and events at the Franciscan Center will not be affected by the university’s closure.
Administrators say their immediate priority is helping students, faculty and staff navigate the transition with clarity and care. Information about degree completion, transcript access, and transfer pathways will be shared directly with students and families in the coming weeks.
A student town hall meeting has already been scheduled, with a virtual session for parents expected to follow.
Transfer Pathway Through University of Toledo
In an effort to minimize disruption, the University of Toledo has agreed to act as a “teach-out partner.”
UToledo President Dr. James Holloway expressed regret over the closure, calling Lourdes a valued institution in the region. He confirmed that students in good academic standing will be admitted into aligned programs at UToledo and supported — to the fullest extent permitted by accreditation guidelines — in completing their degrees.
The agreement is designed to provide continuity and reassurance for students uncertain about their next academic steps.
Part of a Broader Trend
Lourdes is not alone in facing financial headwinds. Siena Heights University in nearby Adrian, Michigan, is also expected to close at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.
Across the United States, smaller private colleges — particularly faith-based liberal arts institutions — have struggled with shifting demographics, lower college-age populations, and increasing operational costs. Lourdes’ announcement underscores the growing strain on regional institutions dependent on tuition-driven revenue.
A Legacy Spanning Decades
Lourdes University traces its origins to the early 1940s, when an extension program of the College of St. Teresa was launched on the Sylvania Franciscan campus.
The institution was formally established as Lourdes Junior College in 1958 and earned regional accreditation in 1964. Over time, it expanded its academic offerings and student body:
- 1969: Lay women admitted
- 1973: Incorporated independently
- 1975: First men admitted
- Early 1980s: Authorized to grant bachelor’s degrees
- 2011: Transitioned from Lourdes College to Lourdes University
Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Lourdes became known as the region’s only Catholic liberal arts university.
Community Reaction
Local organizations responded swiftly to the news.
Sylvania Schools confirmed that athletic fields shared with Lourdes will remain available through the spring season, with no impact on local student athletes.
The Diocese of Toledo expressed deep disappointment over the loss of the region’s only Catholic liberal arts university. Bishop Daniel Thomas, who was informed shortly before the announcement, offered prayers and encouragement to the Sisters, faculty, staff and students as they prepare for transition.
What Happens Next
While many operational details remain unresolved, university leadership says plans are underway to ensure a smooth academic wind-down. Dedicated teams are working on transfer logistics, faculty transitions and record preservation.
For students and families, the coming weeks will bring more clarity — but also the difficult reality that an institution rooted in nearly seven decades of Franciscan education will soon close its doors.
As Lourdes prepares to graduate its final class, the emphasis remains on honoring its educational mission and supporting its community through the final chapter of its history.
The university confirmed the decision in an official statement published on the Lourdes University website, citing ongoing financial pressures and declining enrollment.
