Nazareth College Changes its Name

Nazareth College in Rochester, NY changed its name to become Nazareth University. Nazareth was founded in 1924 by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

You can learn more about the history of the institution on the Our History page that also includes links to the institutional archives and other resources.

75th Anniversary for South Georgia Technical College

South Georgia Technical College in Americus, GA recently celebrated its 75th Anniversary.

The institution was founded in 1948 as South Georgia Trade and Vocational School. The name changed in 1963 to South Georgia Technical and Vocational School and in 1968, to South Georgia Technical Institute. The current name of South Georgia Technical College was selected in 2000.

You can read more in "South Georgia Technical College celebrating 75 years of success," posted by the Americus Times-Recorder or by visiting the History & Mission page of the college website.

75th Anniversary for Salt Lake Community College

Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, UT is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its founding in 1948.  You can visit the 75th Anniversary webpage to find information on upcoming events. There is also a short YouTube video, timeline, and other anniversary resources.

The institution was initially founded as Salt Lake Area Vocational School. The name changed to Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute in 1959 and to Salt Lake Community College in 1987.

Medaille University Announces Closure

Medaille University in Buffalo, NY announced this week that it will be closing.  You can read more in "Medaille University to close at the end of August," posted by Spectrum News 1 and the Medaille website offers information on teachout agreements and other resources.

Medaille University was founded in 1875 as the Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It became Mount St. Joseph Normal School in 1927, Mount St. Joseph Teachers College in 1937, and Mount St. Joseph College in 1964. It was then recharted in 1968 as non-sectarian Medaille College. The college requested and received approval in May 2022 from the New York State Education Department Board of Regents for an amendment to Medaille’s charter to operate as a university. 

If you are interested in recent trends for closures, mergers, and acquisitions access College Closures since 2009 in the index at the right of any College History Garden page. There are separate tabs for non-profit closures, for-profit closures, and one for mergers and acquisitions. Each tab includes basic information for the institutions, i.e., Carnegie Classification, sector, accrediting agency, and the IPEDS unitid.

Olivet College Changes Name

 Trustees of Olivet College in Olivet, MI approved a name change to The University of Olivet.

Olivet is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and was founded in 1844. The name was changed briefly to Olivet Institute in 1847 and back to Olivet College in 1859.

You can read more about Olivet's history or find links to the Hosford History Center & Lawrence Archives.

Iowa Wesleyan University Announces Closure

Iowa Wesleyan University’s Board of Trustees announced its unanimous decision to close the university at the end of this academic year. The Board indicated that the decision was based on increased operating costs due to inflationary pressures, changing enrollment trends, and a significant drop in philanthropic giving.

Iowa Wesleyan was founding in Mt. Pleasant, IA as Mount Pleasant Literary Institute in 1842. The name changed to Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute in 1843 and to Iowa Wesleyan University in 1855. The name changed to Iowa Wesleyan College in 1912 and back to Iowa Wesleyan University in May 2015. Read more about historical details on the IWU History page.

You can read more in "Iowa Wesleyan University closing after 181 years," with reporting by Vanessa Miller for The Gazette of Cedar Rapids, IA or "Iowa Wesleyan University outlines reasons for closing down at the end of academic year," posted by WQAD-TV of Moline, IL with reporting by Hollie Knepper.

If you are interested in recent trends for closures, mergers, and acquisitions access College Closures since 2009 in the index at the right of any College History Garden page. There are separate tabs for non-profit closures, for-profit closures, and one for mergers and acquisitions. Each tab includes basic information for the institutions, i.e., Carnegie Classification, sector, accrediting agency, and the IPEDS unitid.

Wiley College Celebrates Sesquicentennial

Wiley College is celebrating the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1873 and there are a number of activities planned this week. The 150th Anniversary webpage includes a brief historical sketch plus details for planned activities.

The college will host an “Oral History Project and Reception” on March 13th in the Thomas Winston Cole Sr. Library. A Sesquicentennial chapel service will be held on March 14th followed by a premiere of the film "Freedom" on March 15th.  Then on March 17th, a “Celebration Under the Stars” event and the sesquicentennial convocation in Wiley’s pedestrian plaza will be held. 

You can read more in "Wiley College celebrates 150th anniversary all this week," posted by The Marshall (TX) News Messenger on March 12th with reporting by Sadiq King.

Wiley College has also been featured in a couple of College History Garden posts:

• March 21, 2016 Historical Markers Unveiled at Wiley College
• March 1, 2015 Buard History Trail features Wiley College and Bishop College in Marshall, TX