Iowa Wesleyan University has announced that it will be closing its doors at the end of the current academic year, citing financial difficulties as the reason for the closure.
Iowa Wesleyan University has announced that it will be closing its doors after more than 180 years of educating students.
The closure is yet another example of a smaller college having to close its doors and a pretty good example of the difficulties faced by small universities in an ever-changing landscape of higher education.
Table of contents
- Why is Iowa Wesleyan University shutting down?
- Iowa Wesleyan reaches teach-out agreements with other institutions
- College football fans react to Iowa Wesleyan closing
Why is Iowa Wesleyan University shutting down?
The university, in its announcement, cited the following reasons as helping contribute to its leadership deciding to close its doors:
- “Increased operating costs due to inflationary pressures”
- “Changing enrollment trends”
- “A significant drop in philanthropic giving”
- “The rejection of a proposal for federal Covid funding by Governor Reynolds”
This isn’t exactly an easy time for a lot of smaller schools in rural communities right now. Financial issues are making things tough everywhere.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the Board of Trustees has made the heartbreaking decision to close our beloved Iowa Wesleyan after 181 years as an educational pillar in this community,” Christine Plunkett, president of Iowa Wesleyan University, said in the university’s press release. “Our focus is now on assuring our over 850 students have a smooth transition to another educational opportunity.”
Iowa Wesleyan reaches teach-out agreements with other institutions
According to the university, agreements have been reached with the following institutions to help IWU students complete their degrees:
- William Penn University
- Upper Iowa University
- University of Dubuque
- Culver-Stockton College
College football fans react to Iowa Wesleyan closing
While it’s a small school, Iowa Wesleyan has had a tremendous impact on college football on a national level. This is the place that is often cited as the birthplace of the Air Raid as Hal Mumme and Mike Leach designed and innovated the offense there.
Current University of Houston Cougars head football coach Dana Holgorsen played at Iowa Wesleyan.
And so, college football fans certainly have some thoughts on the matter:
According to the university’s news release, the school will shut down at the end of the current academic year.
The Underdog Tribune 