In a move that has sent shockwaves throughout northwest Ohio and the Catholic education community, Lourdes University in Sylvania has announced it will permanently close at the end of the 2026 academic year. The decision, made public on February 11, 2026, follows months—if not years—of mounting financial pressures, declining enrollment, and a funding model that university leaders ultimately deemed unsustainable, according to multiple sources including Spectrum News, WTVG, and WTOL.
The announcement came via a joint statement from the Board of Trustees and the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, who have sponsored and supported the institution since its founding. "After careful deliberation with the Board of Trustees of Lourdes University, the Sisters of St. Francis have resolved that the University will close at the end of the academic year," the board wrote in a release quoted by Spectrum News. "This decision is one we do not make lightly, but it is one we are charged to make."
Lourdes University, a private Catholic and Franciscan institution, has been a fixture in Sylvania since 1958. Its roots, however, stretch further back to the early 1940s, when an extension program of the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, was established on the Sylvania Franciscan campus. Over the decades, Lourdes evolved from a junior college to a fully accredited university, with milestones such as the admission of lay women in 1969, men in 1975, and the transition to university status in 2011, as recounted by WTOL.
But even a storied history and deep community ties couldn’t shield Lourdes from the broader headwinds facing small, private colleges across the country. The Board of Trustees explained in their statement, "Due to the myriad of challenges for similar institutions across higher education today, Lourdes has faced mounting financial pressures driven by declining enrollment, rising costs and a funding model that is unsustainable."
This sentiment was echoed by the Sisters of St. Francis, whose financial support has been crucial in keeping the university afloat in recent years. "Unfortunately, the Sisters can no longer continue to subsidize the University at the level required to sustain its operations. A Franciscan education is a relational one and we mourn with the students and faculty that this time has come," said Sister Dr. Nancy Linenkugel, who has been appointed as the university’s 13th and final president to oversee the closure, according to WTOL.
The leadership transition was swift and symbolic. President William J. Bisset stepped down, making way for Sister Linenkugel to guide the university through its final months. "We recognize the gravity of this moment and the pain this news may bring. However, this decision reflects a sober assessment of what can be sustained responsibly while preserving the quality and integrity that define Lourdes," the board emphasized in their statement, as reported by Spectrum News.
Despite the looming closure, Lourdes University has pledged to maintain all classes and operations through the end of the academic year. Importantly, the shutdown will not affect Lifelong Learning Programs or events at the Franciscan Center, ensuring that some of the university’s community offerings will continue, at least for now.
For students, faculty, and staff, the university has promised a thoughtful transition plan. "Right now, our immediate priority is supporting students, faculty and staff through this transition, and ensuring they are able to complete their academic pathways with clarity, dignity and care," Sister Linenkugel stated in the release. Information about degree completion, transfer options, academic records, and individualized support will be provided over the coming weeks, as confirmed by WTOL and WTVG.
To address the uncertainty and anxiety among the campus community, a series of meetings have been scheduled. University leadership will hold an all-parent Zoom meeting on February 17, 2026, at 6 p.m., while a student-focused Zoom meeting featuring the President of the University of Toledo and their admissions team is set for February 18, 2026, at 1 p.m., according to WTVG. Additionally, a townhall meeting for students is planned for February 12, 2026, as the university seeks to provide transparency and support during this difficult time.
One glimmer of hope for Lourdes students comes from the University of Toledo, which has committed to serve as a "teach-out partner." Dr. James Holloway, president of UToledo, offered reassurance: "It was with sadness that I learned of the closure of Lourdes University, a valued educational institution in our region. This closure creates uncertainty for Lourdes' students and The University of Toledo is here to support them to complete their educational journey. All interested Lourdes students in good standing will be admitted to UToledo in a program aligned with their major and, to the fullest extent allowed by our accreditors, be supported to finish their degrees."
The closure of Lourdes is not an isolated incident among Catholic institutions in the region. Siena Heights University in Adrian, Michigan, is also expected to close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, highlighting a broader crisis facing small religiously affiliated colleges.
Local organizations and leaders have responded with a mix of disappointment and resolve. The Diocese of Toledo expressed its sadness at the loss of the area’s only Catholic liberal arts university. Bishop Daniel Thomas, in a statement, said, "We send our prayers and encouragement to the Sisters of Saint Francis of Sylvania during this time of transition, and to all the administration, faculty, staff and students as they seek a new home." Sylvania Schools noted that their athletic fields, used by Lourdes, will continue to be shared through the spring season, ensuring no immediate impact on local student athletes.
As for the future, much remains uncertain. The Board of Trustees and the Sisters of St. Francis have pledged to keep the community informed and to provide resources for those affected. "We plan to have all things in place in coming weeks and will be updating students, parents, and faculty continually," Sister Linenkugel said, emphasizing the university’s commitment to a dignified and orderly transition.
The loss of Lourdes University marks the end of an era for Sylvania and the broader northwest Ohio region. For nearly 70 years, the institution has been a beacon of Franciscan values, academic excellence, and community engagement. As the final class prepares to walk its campus, the legacy of Lourdes will endure in the lives it has touched and the community it has served.