After board meeting, Limestone University to permanently close

GAFFNEY, S.C. (WSPA) — In an email sent to students and parents, Limestone University President Nathan B. Copeland announced the university’s Board of Trustees decided to close the school at the end of the current academic semester.

Closing Limestone University’s doors

The university will discontinue both online and in-person degree programs.

The move comes after the university met with students and staff two weeks ago, stating the school was facing severe financial uncertainty and needed $6 million in immediate support.

Last Tuesday, the board met for nearly three hours, but a final decision was not made due to a potential funding source being found.

Shortly after, the school launched “Together for Limestone,” a public fundraising campaign. A $1 million donation pledge made by the Fullerton Foundation was announced hours later.

Limestone announced more donation pledges Tuesday, including two $500,000 pledges from local donors along with $100,000 from Sossamon Construction Company.

The Chair of Limestone’s Board of Trustees, Randall Richardson, said despite more than $2.1 million in donations, the university is unable to secure the funding necessary to continue as an institution.

“We want to thank the almost 200 recent supporters in the last two weeks
who committed a collective $2.143 million,” Richardson said. “We had hoped that would be enough to sustain our institution. But in the final analysis, we could not continue operations on campus or online without a greater amount of funding.”

Closing campus means letting go of a $150 million annual economic impact in Cherokee County, which affects local businesses, restaurants and countless employees who could feel the ripple effect.

What’s next?

School officials said Limestone University will proceed with an “orderly wind-down process.”

Current students will receive assistance with transferring to other colleges and universities.

“More detailed information about the closure timeline, academic records, transfer
assistance, employment impact, and other support services will be provided in the coming days,” a statement from the university read.

Ahead of official decision, frustration grew among students

University students were frustrated Tuesday as they waited for the school board to make their final decision as more donations were announced.

“I wanted there to be a decision made so I knew what I could do moving forward, and there were just no decisions,” said Marisa Brandon, a freshman at Limestone. “It was just kind of like we’re still stuck at what are we going to do?”

“I’ve heard a lot of numbers out there, you know, like how much were in the hole and if we’re staying open, and if or not, it’s been kind of a jumble,” freshman student William Coker said.

Brooklyn Campbell also expressed frustrations with the delays.

“I’m kind of hoping that they make a decision and if they postpone it again, I’m just going to leave,” she said.

Coker said he and his teammates have already committed elsewhere.

“I’m not going to sit here and get screwed over again. I don’t want to go to fall ball and then this just happens again and then I get a transfer and do that right before the season,” he said.

Others fear the verdict tonight might mean life as they know it will drastically change.

“For us freshmen, we have to basically restart,” said Brandon. “It’s just a shock and nervousness and I just don’t know what to do. I’m lost at this point.”

“I hope they make one today so then we know what to do, so I don’t feel so stressed and frustrated. I’m praying that they make a decision today,” said Campbell.

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President Copeland’s email to the university community can be read below:

Dear Saints Family,

Words cannot fully express the sorrow I feel in having to share this heartbreaking news. Tonight the Limestone University Board of Trustees made the difficult decision to close our university for both in-person and online classes going forward.

I know the past few days gave us great hope fueled by generous commitments of meaningful donations, but our board carefully reviewed all options and arrived at the painful decision that even with those kind donations, we do not have a viable financial path forward.

All of you fought tirelessly to save our historic institution. While the outcome is not what we hoped for, we are forever grateful for the passion, loyalty, and prayers of our Saints family.

In the coming days you will receive more information about how we will proceed with winding down our operations and supporting those impacted by this change. Tonight, let’s just pause and remind ourselves that God is still in control, and He will guide each of us through this time of transition.
-Nathan Copeland

Dr. Nathan B. Copeland, President of Limestone University

This is a developing update. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online as more information is made available.