US EditionA 180-year-old private South Carolina university is closing after a $6M fundraising drive fails
- Limestone University, a private Christian institution in South Carolina founded in 1845, is closing at the end of the semester in Gaffney due to financial issues.
- The university faced steep enrollment declines caused by changing demographics and the pandemic, losing about half its students from 3,200 in 2014 to around 1,600 recently.
- Limestone launched a two-week fundraising campaign to raise $6 million needed to stabilize operations but collected only about $2.1 million from over 200 donors before deciding to close.
- Board Chair Randall Richardson expressed confidence that the values and legacy of Limestone University will continue through its students and graduates, ensuring the institution’s influence persists even after its closure.
- The closure will leave several hundred staff unemployed and disrupt hundreds of students, prompting the university to promise assistance for transfers as many college closures nationwide continue amid enrollment drops.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Limestone University Announces Closure
The abrupt end of the private South Carolina institution follows a last-minute fundraising effort by the board that came up millions of dollars short. Limestone University survived the Civil War and the Great Depression, but protracted financial struggles have proven harder to overcome: After nearly 180 years, Limestone will cease operations next week. Officials announced the closure Tuesday night.
New York Post
DNyuz180-year-old private South Carolina university closing after $6M fundraising drive fails
Limestone University officials said that after two weeks of furious fundraising and other actions, they collected just a little over $2 million and had no choice but to close its Gaffney campus and online programs.
Queen City News
WNCTFuture of private Carolina colleges uncertain amid nationwide closures
DAVIDSON, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – In the last week, two Carolina private colleges closed their doors citing financial instability: Limestone University in Gaffney, S.C., and St. Andrews University in Laurinburg. On Wednesday, students at Limestone University started moving out – less than 24 hours after finding out the school was closing for good. Chris Marsicano is an associate professor and chair of the Educational Studies Department at David…
SC University to Close After $6M Fundraising Push Fails
A 180-year-old private Christian university in South Carolina is closing at the end of the semester after failing to raise $6 million to keep its doors open. Limestone University officials said that after two weeks of furious fundraising and other actions, they collected just a little over $2 million and...
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