COLUMBIA, S.C. — Limestone University, a longstanding private Christian institution in South Carolina with a history spanning 180 years, has announced its closure at the conclusion of the current semester following an unsuccessful campaign to secure $6 million necessary to continue operations.
The university, located in Gaffney, faced dwindling enrollment numbers over the past ten years, losing approximately half of its students. Despite efforts over a period of two weeks to gather funds, only a little more than $2 million was collected, prompting the decision to cease operations of both its physical campus and online programs.
Randall Richardson, chair of Limestone University’s board of trustees, expressed that the spirit of the institution will live on through its students and alumni. “Our Limestone spirit will endure through the lives of our students and alumni who carry it forward into the world,” he stated. Despite its doors closing, the university’s legacy will persist.
The unexpected closure was revealed earlier in April, causing shock among students, alumni, and the local community. The university’s financial woes were made public in a sudden announcement that necessitated a $6 million influx to prevent shuttering.
In light of this, over 200 donors contributed a combined sum of approximately $2.1 million, which unfortunately fell short of the target, leading to plans for refunding the donations. Assistance from the South Carolina government wasn’t extended due to the university’s private status.
The closure of Limestone University is not an isolated incident, as numerous private colleges and universities nationwide have faced similar fates in recent years. This trend is attributed to significant enrollment declines, influenced by shifting demographics and the residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State higher education data indicated that Limestone’s enrollment dropped from around 3,200 students in 2014 to about 1,600. In response to its impending closure, the university has pledged to aid students in transitioning to different academic institutions.
This decision impacts faculty and support personnel as well, resulting in job losses for several hundred staff members in the city of Gaffney, which houses roughly 12,500 residents and lies strategically along Interstate 85 between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Spartanburg, South Carolina.
A group of approximately 50 students gathered on Tuesday evening, sharing emotional embraces upon receiving the official email confirming the university’s impending closure. Daniel Deneen Jr., a student from Myrtle Beach who played football for Limestone, expressed the challenges posed by adapting to this new academic reality. He remarked, “When we found out the school had $30 million in debt, we all wondered how they were going to get out of it. The last two weeks have been very stressful with finals coming up this week.”
Founded in 1845, Limestone University is preparing for its final commencement ceremony this Saturday. It is not the only educational institution facing closure; St. Andrews University, located around 150 miles away in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and affiliated with Webber International University, has also announced its closure after the spring semester wraps up on Sunday.