Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts Announce They Will be Joining Together

 

Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts announced last month the signing of a Letter of Intent for joining the institutions, with Cornish becoming the Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University and continuing to educate students at its South Lake Union campus.

Both institutions are non-profits with Cornish College enrolling 502 students and Seattle University, a Jesuit institution, enrolling 7,182 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.

Cornish was founded as Cornish School of Music in 1914. It was briefly advertised as Cornish School of Music, Language, and Dancing in 1915 and later, Cornish College of the Arts in 1921.  After the Depression era it referred to itself as the Cornish School. In 1955, the name changed to Cornish School of the Allied Arts and in 1977, to Cornish Institute of Allied Arts. Then in 1986 it became Cornish College of the Arts.

Seattle University was founded in 1891 as the School of the Immaculate Conception. The name changed to Seattle College in 1898 and then to Seattle University in 1948.

Central Christian College of the Bible and Saint Louis Christian College Will Merge

Trustees of Central Christian College of the Bible (Moberly, MO) and Saint Louis Christian College (Florissant, MO) are working towards a formal merger of their programs.  Both Boards gave final approval to the merger at their meetings in April 2022. 

The merger is proceeding with the assistance and approval of The Solomon Foundation (Parker, CO), which owns the campuses of both institutions.  The merged institution will be known as Central Christian College of the Bible.

CCCB has signed a lease on almost 6,000 square feet of space located at 11960 Westline Industrial Drive, in the Westport. This facility will be used to meet the needs of students in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

CCCB was founded in 1957 and StLCC in 1956. The StLCC campus will be sold and operate as a Christian boarding school.

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.

Saint Joseph's University and University of the Sciences Complete Merger

Inside Higher Ed posted reporting by Josh Moody, "A Crosstown Merger in Philadelphia: Saint Joseph’s University and the struggling University of the Sciences merged on June 1," on June 10, 2022.

Saint Joseph's College was founded in 1851 and the name changed to St. Joseph's University in 1978.

The University of the Sciences was founded as Philadelphia College of Apothecaries in 1821. The name changed to the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1822 and to Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1921. The latest name change to University of the Sciences in Philadelphia occurred in 1998.

You can read more on the Saint Joseph's website, "Saint Joseph’s University Completes Transformative Merger, Acquiring University of the Sciences Academic Programs and University City Campus."

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.

New Name Approved for Castleton University, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College

 
Jim Sabataso of the Rutland Herald reports in "VSCS Trustees approve Vermont State University name" on October 5, 2021 that Vermont State University will be the new name of the state’s three residential colleges.

The Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) board of trustees voted unanimously to adopt the name for the new institution that will unify Castleton University, Northern Vermont University and Vermont Technical College, effective July 2023.

Saint Leo University and Marymount California Announce Merger

Update:  Scott Jaschik reports in "Saint Leo and Marymount California Won’t Merge," posted April 22, 2022 by Inside Higher Ed.

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Inside Higher Ed posted "Saint Leo University to Merge With Marymount California" on July 30, 2021 with reporting by Emma Whitford. 

You can read more in "Saint Leo University Announces Merger With Marymount California University" posted on Saint Leo's website July 29, 2021 or "Marymount California University to Merge with Saint Leo University" posted on Marymount California's website.

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.

When Colleges Close: An Interview with Mary Churchill and David Chard of Wheelock College

Scott Jaschik interviewed Mary L. Churchill, former vice president for academic affairs at Wheelock College, and former president David J. Chard for Inside Higher Ed. 

Churchill and Chard's new book, When Colleges Close: Leading in a Time of Crisis (Johns Hopkins University Press) focuses on the closure of Wheelock College and its merger with Boston University in 2018.

The authors discuss the process of reaching a decision to seek a partner institution and offer lessons learned and advice for other higher education leaders.

NPR and Planet Money Highlight College Mergers and Acquisitions

NPR & Planet Money offer a relatively short podcast episode posted January 25, 2021, "The College Buyout Boom," highlighting a number of recent mergers or acquisitions.  The segment explores some of the key forces driving these changes and features an interview with a senior student at Mount Ida College reflecting on her surprise when she received the news.

You can read more about the closure of Mount Ida that was announced in early 2018 via an earlier College History Garden post, "Mount Ida College Trustees Announce Closure."

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.

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."

 

Pacific Northwest College of Art and Willamette University Set to Merge

 Pacific Northwest College of Art will merge with Willamette University after boards of the two institutions approved the deal last week. The Oregonian reported in "Willamette University to merge with struggling Pacific Northwest College of Art" on September 17, 2020 that conversations between the schools dated back at least five years and became more serious in the last 18 months. PNCA will become part of Salem-based Willamette but will retain its name, faculty and current campus.

PNCA opened in 1909 as the School of the Portland Art Association. It soon became known as the Museum Art School. The first BFA awarded in 1969 and the name changed to Pacific Northwest College of Art in 1981.

Inside Higher Ed posted "Willamette Announces Another Merger Deal" on September 18, 2020 with reporting by Lindsay McKenzie. McKenzie notes that Willamette is presently awaiting approvals for an announced acquisition of Claremont School of Theology. 

PNCA also was involved in merger conversations in 2018 with the Oregon College of Art and Craft that ultimately ended unsuccessfully. 

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.

Martin Methodist College May Join University of Tennessee System

 Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, TN announced possible acquisition by the University of Tennessee System.

Martin Methodist was founded in 1870. It initially provided education for young women and was known as Martin Female College. The name changed to Martin College in 1908 and to Martin Methodist College in 1986.

You can also read more in an Inside Higher Ed post by Emma Whitford posted September 14, 2020, "University of Tennessee System to Acquire Martin Methodist 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.

Pine Manor College Reaches Agreement for Acquisition by Boston College

WBUR reports on an agreement for acquisition, "Under Financial Stress, Pine Manor College to Join Boston College." A teach-out will extend up to two years and the institutions will work together to establish the Pine Manor Institute for Student Success, which will support outreach and academic support to Boston College's first-generation and low-income students. A copy of the Pine Manor press release is available, "Pine Manor College and Boston College Announce Institutional Agreement."


Pine Manor College was founded in 1911 as Pine Manor Junior College. The current name was adopted in 1977. It became co-ed after 2014. You can learn more by visiting "The History of Pine Manor College" page on the institution's web page.

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.

Cambridge College Plans to Acquire New England College of Business and Finance

Cambridge College today announced the planned acquisition of the New England College of Business and Finance (NECB), which will integrate NECB’s programs into Cambridge College’s operations beginning Spring 2020. This transaction is subject to final regulatory and accreditation approvals by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the New England Commission of Higher Education.

Cambridge College was initially founded in 1971 as the Institute of Open Education within Newton College of the Sacred Heart. It later operated as part of the Antioch University Network and became independent in 1981 as Cambridge College.

NECB was founded in 1909 as the American Banking Institute. It received degree-granting authority in 1979 from the Board of Regents of Higher Education in Massachusetts to offer an associate degree in business administration and received accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and College in 1985. The name changed to The New England Banking Institute in 1988 and then to  New England College of Finance in 1998. It became the New England College of Business and Finance in 2008.

You can read more in an Inside Higher Education post by Rick Seltzer on March 6, 2020, "Cambridge College Acquires Online Business School."

Watkins College of Art and Belmont University announce intent to Merge

Belmont University and Watkins College of Art, both located in Nashville, TN, announced their intent to merge with Watkins’s students starting classes at Belmont in August 2020.

Watkins College of Art will begin a transition to Belmont’s campus following the completion of the current academic year. 







Founded as Watkins Institute in 1885, it became Watkins College of Art after 1977 when the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) approved associate degrees in fine art and interior design. Watkins Film School was established in the mid-1990s, and THEC approved bachelor of fine arts degrees in film and interior design in 1997 and 1998. Bachelor of fine arts degrees in photography, graphic design, and fine art followed, and a bachelor of arts in art was added in 2007.

Belmont University traces its roots to 1889 with the founding of Belmont College for Young Women. It merged with Ward Seminary for Young Ladies in 1913 to become Ward-Belmont College. The Tennessee Baptist Convention assumed control in 1951 and operated Belmont College as a co-ed institution. The name changed to Belmont University in 1991.

Belmont recently also acquired another school of the arts in 2018 and you can read more in "Belmont University Acquires O'More College of Design."

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.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell Celebrates 125th Anniversary

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is celebrating the 125th anniversary of its founding. The 125th anniversary web pages offer a timeline, histories, galleries of photographs, a short video, and other resources.

The history of the university reflects the history of two institutions founded one year apart in the late 1800s.

One, Lowell State Normal School was founded in 1894. The name change to Lowell State Teachers School in 1932 and then to Lowell State Teachers College in 1960 and Lowell State College in 1968.

Another institution, Lowell Textile School was founded in 1895. It became Lowell Textile Institute in 1928 and Lowell Technological Institute in 1953.

Lowell State College and Lowell Technological Institute then merged in 1975 to become the University of Lowell. The latest name change to University of Massachusetts Lowell occurred in 1991.

An institutional history published for the 100th anniversary, To Enrich and To Serve: The Centennial History of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, written by Mary H. Blewett and Christine McKenna and published in 1995, is available at no charge through the Internet Archive or used copies can be purchased through Abe Books.

A more recent book was published in 2012 by Arcadia Publishing, University of Massachusetts Lowell as part of its College History Series. You can read reflections of the author, Marie Frank, PhD, "Our 125 Years: Mergers, Murals and Modern Dance," posted by the university.

The Center for Lowell History offers an extensive array of historical resources for the university and surrounding region.

Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences will become part of Rockhurst University

Lily Lieberman reported in the Kansas City Business Journal on July 31, 2019 that Rockhurst University will absorb Saint Luke's College of Health Sciences, "Local university will absorb Saint Luke's nursing school."

Lieberman notes that the process requires approval from the Higher Learning Commission and officials at both institutions anticipate approval in 2020. Saint Luke's programs will move to the Rockhurst campus in 2022 following a complete renovation of Sedgwick Hall that was built in 1914.

Saint Luke's was founded by Saint Luke's Hospital as a diploma school of nursing in 1903 and offered a three-year program.  It was known as Saint Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing until 2010 when the name changed to Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences.  The last reported IPEDS enrollment was 665 students in programs ranging from associate's degrees through post-master's level certificates.

Rockhurst University was founded in 1914.  It enrolls 3,145 students in a variety of undergraduate and graduates programs.

You can learn more about the plans through statements on "The Future of Nursing at Rockhurst University" or "The Future of Health Sciences Education in Kansas City" on the Saint Luke's website.

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.

Davis College Seeks to Sell Main Campus and Secure Merger

WBNG-TV in Binghamton, NY is reporting that Davis College in Johnson City, NY is planning to sell its main campus and intends to merge with World of Life Bible Institute located in Chester, NY.

Davis College intends to eliminate debt with proceeds from the sale of the campus and "...explains that the 2019-2020 school year will act as a transition year, where about 15 seniors will commute to the main campus for courses and are expected to graduate in either December 2019 or May 2020." 

Enrolment has fallen significantly since Davis last reported enrollment of 288 students to IPEDS.


Jeff Platsky of the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin also reported on the sale of the campus in "Adam Weitsman close to a deal to buy Davis College property in Johnson City."

Davis College was founded as Practical Bible School in 1900.  The name changed to Practical Bible College in 1933 and to Davis College in 2004.

Both Davis College and the Word of Life Institute operate as private, non-profit institutions.  Word of Life reported 522 undergraduate enrollment to IPEDS.

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.

University of Redlands and San Francisco Theological Seminary Reach Agreement

The University of Redlands in Redlands, CA and San Francisco Theological Seminary located in San Anselmo, CA announced on February 25, 2019 that they have entered into a partnership that will serve as a foundation for a new Graduate School of Theology.

You can read more on the seminary's Pathways to Possibility webpage that includes a statement from Rev. Dr. Jim McDonald, President and Professor of Faith & Public Life, along with .pdfs of several partnership documents and a F.A.Q. section.

Other reporting on the agreement can be found at:

• Yet Another Seminary Merges by Greg Toppo for Inside Higher Ed on February 26, 2019
• San Francisco Theological Seminary, University of Redlands to begin ‘permanent partnership’ for Presbyterian Mission on February 25, 2019
• San Francisco Theological Seminary reaches “agreement in principle” to become part of University of Redlands by Leslie Scanlon for Presbyterian Outlook on February 25, 2019

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.

IUPUI Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Founding

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding in 1969 through merger of the Purdue Indianapolis Extension Center (1946) and Indiana University Indianapolis (1916).  IUPUI is considered to be one of nine Indiana University campuses, though students also have the opportunity to earn degrees through Purdue.

IUPUI's anniversary web pages include scheduled events, an historical sketch with timeline, along with featured stories of students, alumni, and others who have served the institution.

Your can also find additional historical information through the IUPUI web site or by visiting web pages of the Ruth Lilly Special Collections & Archives.

     

Though it is officially 50 years, IUPUI traces its higher education heritage in Indianapolis back to the early 1900s.  The medical school was established in 1906 and the schools of law, dentistry and art grew from a number of predecessor institutions founded in the late 1800s. 

You can also learn more by reading Ralph Gray’s book, "IUPUI: The Making of an Urban University" (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2003) .

IUPUI's web site also offers Women Building IUPUI: A Walking Tour.  The page includes links for two .pdf documents by Mary Owen with historical information, photographs, and campus maps:  

Women in Medicine at Indiana UniversityPurdue University IndianapolisA Walking Trail

Women Building IUPUIA Walking Trail 

Barber-Scotia College Alumni and Trustees at Odds over Future of the Campus

WSOC-TV of Charlotte, NC posted a video and transcript by reporter Kristin Leigh, "Concord leaders, alumni concerned about future of Barber-Scotia College."  Leigh interviewed Concord, NC city officials and several alumnae of the college as she explored the current status of the institution.

The institution was founded in 1867 as Scotia Seminary. The name changed to Scotia Women's College in 1916 and later merged with Barber Memorial College [founded in Anniston, AL] in 1930 to become Barber-Scotia College. The institution was affiliated with the Presbyterian Church.

The college lost SACS accreditation in 2004 and announced suspension of classes after 2004-05 academic year. It later reopened in fall 2008 and then suspended classes again January 2016, though the college website is now claiming to be enrolling students.

Those interested in the history of the college can find an interesting short video, "Long Live Barber-Scotia" on YouTube.

Oregon College of Art and Craft and Pacific Northwest College of Art Agree to Merge

Update On December 14, 2018, The Oregonian reported, "No merger for Pacific Northwest College of Art, Oregon College of Art and Craft."  The article indicates that, "After three months of discussion, the boards of both schools voted Friday against the merger, calling it “not a feasible option” at this time..."

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Oregon Public Broadcasting posted an excellent article by April Baer on November 1, 2018, "Oregon Art Schools PNCA And OCAC Vote To Merge."  Baer reports that the "...governing boards for Oregon College of Art and Craft and Pacific Northwest College of Art will spend the next month working on a memorandum of understanding..." to guide a merger of the two institutions.

OCAC was founded as the Arts and Crafts Society in 1907. The name changed to the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts in 1978 and the BFA program was added in 1994.  The name changed to Oregon College of Art and Craft in 1996.  OCAC enrolls 143 students.

PNCA opened in 1909 as the School of the Portland Art Association. It soon became known as the Museum Art School. The first BFA awarded in 1969 and the name changed to Pacific Northwest College of Art in 1981.  PNCA's last enrollment reported to IPEDS was 512 students.

You can also read about the two institutions in an article by Douglas Perry of The Oregonian, "With merger, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Oregon College of Art and Craft try to buck trend," posted on November 2, 2018.  Perry's article includes a number of photographs.