Closure Announced by Northwestern College

 Northwestern College in Oak Lawn, IL announced this past week that it will close. 

Northwestern Business College was founded in 1902 on what was then 1747 N. Robey Street in Chicago by J.F. Fish. And while it changed owners and locations over the years, it remained a family-owned educational enterprise. 

The college relocated to the Logan Square area of Chicago after 1918 and was sold a time or two before Myrtle M. Voss assumed ownership in the 1930s. In 1958 Violet and Edward Schumacher purchased the college. Then in 1977, Lawrence Schumacher and Nancy Schumacher Kucienski formed Lancelot Inc. and purchased the college. The curriculum expanded to offer programs in computers and word processing. 

The institution relocated in in 1981 to the northwest side of Chicago and in 1987 a second campus was opened in Palos Hills, IL. Then in 2001 a third campus was added in Naperville. Accreditation was gained through The Higher Learning Commission. Lawrence Schumacher assumed sole ownership in 2007 and the name changed to Northwestern College. The institution moved in 2022 to the Oak Lwn campus on the corner of 95th and Cicero Avenues.

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.

Jamestown Business College will no longer enroll new Students

Administrators of Jamestown Business College announced this week that the institution will no longer enroll students. 

Jamestown Business College was located in Jamestown, NY and it was first opened in 1886 by E.J. Coburn.

You can read more in two articles by Eric Tichy of the Jamestown Post-Journal, "Founded In 1886, Jamestown Business College Plans Closure" from February 2, 2024 and "Jamestown Business College Traces Roots To City’s Earliest Days" published February 3, 2024.

Pictured is the former Gokey Building in Jamestown that once housed Jamestown Business College. The building was destroyed in a March 1910 fire.

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.

Hussian College No Longer Enrolling Students

Hussian College with locations in Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and California has announced that it will no longer enroll students.

Hussian College was founded by John Hussian as the Hussian School of Art in 1946 in Philadelphia.

In September 2014, Hussian first offered the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art. Also in the same year, a branch campus was opened a Los Angeles, California as the Studio School with programs in art, acting, contemporary musical theatre, digital content, commercial dance, and entrepreneurship.

In January 2015, the institutional name was changed from Hussian School of Art to Hussian College.

Then in November 2018, Hussian added the five campuses of Daymar College. With the acquisition of Daymar College, Hussian College became the successor institution for Draughons Business Colleges and for Southwestern Business College/Samuel Stephen College.

Daymar College was founded in 1963 as Owensboro Business College, offering courses in general business at its original campus location at 1126 Triplett Street in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 1973, Owensboro Business College was authorized to award associate degrees and in 1980, it earned accreditation as a junior college and changed its name to Owensboro Junior College of Business.

In 1995, Owensboro Junior College of Business was acquired by Daymar Learning, Inc. In July 1999, the college moved to a new campus located at 3361 Buckland Square. Then in 2001 the institutional name was changed to Daymar College. 

The Owensboro campus closed in June 2018 leaving Daymar College with 5 campuses located in Columbus, OH; Bowling Green, KY; and Clarksville, Nashville and Murfreesboro, TN. 

In November 2018, the Daymar campuses became branch campuses of Hussian College. In March 2022 the Bowling Green, KY campus ceased operations.

Historical Roots of Various Campuses

Draughons Junior College with campuses located in Clarksville, Nashville and Murfreesboro, TN had originally been founded around 1879 by John F. Draughon as Draughon’s Traveling Business College. After opening a permanent location in Nashville, the institution operated widely for many years as Draughons Practical Business College with 38 business schools bearing his name at the time of his death in 1921. After his death, many of the schools bearing his name merged with other schools or closed. 

The Draughons Business College in Nashville survived and was located on 8th Avenue North for more than 100 years. In August 1981, the college moved 6 miles southeast of downtown Nashville to Plus Park Blvd. It remained on Plus Park Blvd until September 2015 when it moved to the 560 Royal Parkway. In October 2020, the campus relocated to 750 Envious Lane.

In September 1987, Draughons Junior College established a branch campus in Clarksville, Tennessee located at 1860 Guthrie Highway. In 1994, Guthrie Highway was renamed Wilma Rudolph Boulevard. April 2013, the college moved to 2691 Trenton Rd.

In 1988, Draughons Junior College established a branch campus in Bowling Green, Kentucky located at 2424 Airway Ct. January 2004, the college moved to its current location at 2421 Fitzgerald Industrial Dr.

In September 2003, Draughons Junior College established a branch campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee located at 1237 Commerce Park Drive. In January 2005, the college moved to 415 Golden Bear Court and in 2022 it relocated to 855 W. College Street.

January 1, 2010, Daymar College purchased Draughons Junior College. The Bowling Green campus changed its name to Daymar College and the Draughons Junior Colleges located in Tennessee changed their name to Daymar Institute. Along with the name change, the campuses expanded their educational offerings to include bachelor degree programs. On January 1, 2015, the Daymar Institute colleges changed their name to Daymar College.

On July 19, 2021, Daymar College in Clarksville, TN changed its name to Hussian College. On October 3, 2022 Daymar College in Murfreesboro, TN and Nashville, TN changed its name to Hussian College.

Southeastern Business College campus in Columbus, OH opened as a branch campus of the Southeastern Business College Chillicothe campus in 1994. The original Columbus campus location was 1522 Sheridan Dr., Lancaster, OH 43130.

In 2006, Southeastern Business College changed its name to Samuel Stephen College. 

On May 12, 2008, Daymar College purchased Samuel Stephen College and changed its name to Daymar College. The campus moved to 1579 Victor Road, Lancaster, OH 43130 in 2009. September 1, 2015, the campus moved to 2745 Winchester Pike, Columbus, OH 43232. On October 3, 2022 the college changed its name to Hussian College.

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.

Beal College Announces Name Change to Beal University

Beal College in Bangor, Maine announced that it is now Beal University.

The institution was founded as Bangor Business School in 1891 by Mary E. Beal. There have been a number of name changes as it became Beal’s School of Shorthand and Typing in 1903, Beal College of Commerce in 1922, Beal College School of Business in 1929, and then, Beal Business College.

Visit the History of Beal College page for more information, including a timeline with key dates in the institution's history.

Individuals can also consult the Index of Colleges and Universities that have Closed, Merged, or Changed Names to see more information on institutions that have closed or changed names. There are separate pages for each of the states and the District of Columbia.

Histories of Meredith College and Zanesville Business College in Ohio

The Muskingum County Genealogy web site offers a fascinating post with the history of Meredith College that was located in Zanesville, OH. Reuben Meredith established the school bearing his name on April 20, 1900. Four months later bought out rights to the Zanesville Business School that had operated since 1865. Meredith merged his new school with the older one and then could claim his college the respected reputation and long history dating back to 1866. The post includes interesting details on both institutions including various locations occupied during their respective histories.

The last class of Meredith College graduated on May 13, 1971 and "...the thirty graduates were among nearly 20,000 men and women who had received a business education over a 104-year history."

 

Midstate College Announces Closure

WEEK-TV reported this week that Midstate College in Peoria, IL will be closing, "Local Colleges Taking Action after Midstate Closure." You can also see a video clip from WMBD-TV, "Midstate College to Permanently Close Next Month."

      

Midstate operated as a four year, primarily associates, private for-profit college and enrolled 226 students in its most recent IPEDS reporting.  It was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  The institution's web page currently offers additional information on the closure.

Midstate traced its roots to two commercial schools that opened in 1857 and 1865 in Peoria. These two schools merged in 1868 and were purchased by G.W. Brown in 1888. The institution was renamed Brown's Business College of Commerce.

Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.), 20 May 1919. 

Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. 

It was acquired by W.L. Reed in 1913 and later sold again in 1960 when it was renamed Midstate College of Commerce. The name last changed in 1970 to Midstate College.

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.

Metro Business College Closing

The Jefferson City News Tribune reported in June that "Metro Business College to close Missouri campuses." 

Metro Business College operated three campuses in Cape Girardeau, Jefferson City, and Rolla.  Recent enrollment at all three was just over one hundred students.

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.

Minneapolis Business College Announces Closure

Katie Galioto reported for the Minneapolis Star Tribune on June 26, 2019 that "After 145 years, Minneapolis Business College to close in December."

The institution was founded in 1874 and moved to Roseville, MN after 1983.  Galioto reports that enrollment had declined to approximately 90 students.  It was part of the Bradford Schools system headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA.

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.

King's College in Charlotte Announces Closure

King's College, a small for-profit institution in Charlotte, North Caroline announced that it will be closing.  The institution was founded in 1901 in Raleigh, NC.  Courses were offered in Charlotte the following year in 1902.  Current enrollment is roughly 350 students.

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.

advertisement for King's Business College from 

The Progressive Farmer (Winston-Salem, NC) on January 26, 1904

Postcard King's Business College in Raleigh, NC

source: North Carolina Postcard collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

King's College, Charlotte, NC

Central Business College Featured

The Sedalia (MO) Democrat published a couple of articles on Central Business College, "Life at Central Business College in 1932," and "Central Business College alums praise education."

The proprietary institution was founded by C.W. Robbins in 1883 and closed in 1968. Robbins also operated the Sedalia Telegraph School as division of Central Business College. Robbins purchased the Missouri School of Telegraphy in 1907. He then purchased the Western Telegraph Institute of Sedalia the following year. He combined all three schools as Sedalia Telegraph School until closing out the program in 1917. The telegraph school enrolled both women and men and offered courses besides telegraphy in railway bookkeeping, spelling, penmanship, and station management. 

 

 Advertisement for Central Business College from the Sedalia Weekly Bazoo, June 11, 1898.

Advertisement from the Sedalia Weekly Bazoo on April 13, 1886.

Advertisement for Missouri School of Telegraphy from the Guthrie Daily Leader, January 19, 1904.

Polytechnic Business College, Oakland, CA, On This Date, December 5, 1917

An advertisement for Polytechnic Business College of Oakland, CA was printed in The Carson City (Nevada) Daily Appeal on this date one hundred years ago, December 5, 1917.  The building image actually appears to be Polytechnic College of Engineering.  Both institutions were founded in 1898 and occupied buildings one block apart in Oakland.  The Polytechnic College of Engineering was located at 13th and Madison Streets, while the Polytechnic Business College was on 12th and Harrison Streets.  Willis E. Gibson and H.C. Ingram were listed as owners of the institutions.

Five days later, The Daily Appeal also printed an advertisement for the Polytechnic College of Engineering, on December 10, 1917.

Advertisements with a brief description and two photographs of classrooms from the Polytechnic College of Engineering were included in the 1941 Polk's Guide to Oakland, found on the Oakland Wiki project.

Consider leaving a comment below if you know when these institutions closed or can point to other information about their history.

Duluth Business University Announces Closure

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports in "Duluth's oldest university closing after 126 years" that Duluth Business University will close.  The for-profit institution was founded in 1891.

A 3-minute video on the closure, "Duluth Business University to Close After 126 years," is available on Duluth's Fox21 website that includes an interview with DBU's president and owner, Jim Gessner.

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

West Virginia Business College Closes

Jeff Jenkins reported on July 10, 2017 for the Charleston, WV Metro News Network, "Email says WV Business College has closed."  Jenkins quotes an email from James Weir, West Virginia Business College general manager, that was sent to students.  The institution was no longer accredited and was experiencing declining enrollment.

The institution was founded in 1881 as Elliott Commercial College in Clarksburg, WV. The name change in 1911 to West Virginia Business College. A branch campus was established in Wheeling in 1989 and was later designated as the main campus. The initial branch in Clarksburg then moved to Nutter Fort, WV.

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

Hickey College in St. Louis Plans to Close

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that "Hickey College in St. Louis stops accepting new student applications."  Reporter Kristen Taketa indicates that the institution will close in roughly eighteen months permitting current students to complete their programs.  Taketa also indicates that Hickey was founded in 1933 by Dr. Margaret Hickey.  The institution is currently owned by Bradford Schools, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA. 

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

Jones College in Jacksonville, FL announces it will be Closing

Tessa Duvall reports for The Florida Times-Union that "Jones College closing after 99 years in Jacksonville."  Duvall indicates that the institution has submitted a teachout plan for existing students.

The institution was founded in 1918 as Mrs. Jones School.  It was known as Jones Business College in the 1940s.  The name was changed to Jones College after 1963. Jones operated schools in Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale as well as Atlanta, Memphis and Charlotte, N.C. by the late 1970s as the Jones College System. However, by 2005 the primary campuses were located in Jacksonville and Miami.

Jones was a proprietary institution initially but operated as a non-profit after 1947 when it received a state charter as a degree granting institution.

Duvall's article includes a timeline of key dates in the Jones College history.

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

Sierra Valley College will close this week in Fresno, CA

Matt Mendes reports in "Fresno private college will close its doors," for KSEE-24 and KGPE-47 television stations that Sierra Valley College of Court Reporting will be closing at the end of this week.  The institution was founded in 1973.  Mendes indicates there are more than 40 students and the institution last reported enrollment of 79 students to IPEDS.

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

Trumbull Business College will Close

Trumbull Business College, a two-year, private for-profit institution in Warren, OH announced earlier this month that it will be closing at the end of March.  Trumbull was founded in 1972 and last reported enrollment of 159 students to IPEDS.  

David Dye reported on the announcement in an article for the Warren Tribune Chronicle, "Business College to Close."  

WKBN television also offered a report by Chelsea Simeon, "Trumbull Business College to close at end of March."

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

Vantage College in Texas Announces Closure

KVIA-TV in El Paso, TX reports that Vantage College is closing.  The institution was founded in 2006 as Excel Learning Center in El Paso.  At the time of closing, Vantage operated sites in Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso.  Total enrollment was roughly 300 students.

The Vantage College website also offers a statement regarding the closure.

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

Utica School of Commerce will Close

WKTV in Utica, NY reports that the Utica School of Commerce is closing.  The for-profit institution was founded in 1896 and recently had enrollment of roughly 150 students.  

The institution was initially located on the third floor of the Oneida National Bank Building on the corner of Genesee and Bleecker Streets.  There were several changes in location over the years as programs evolved.  At present, there are two locations, one on Bleecker Street in Utica and another on Route 5 in Casatota, NY.

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

Globe Institute of Technology Closed

Globe Institute of Technology in New York City closed earlier this fall, effective September 15, 2016.

Academic records were transferred to the New York State Education Department Office of College and University Evaluation.  

Globe was a private, for-profit institution.  The institution was founded in 1985.  On November 8, 1996, Globe received approval from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York as a two-year degree-granting institution.  Approval was then received to grant baccalaureate degrees on April 8, 2000.

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