One of Iowa’s oldest universities, Iowa Wesleyan University, will be ending its 181 years of education, closing the campus this Spring.
Iowa Wesleyan first opened its doors to students in 1842. But due to recent financial struggles, the university’s board of trustees announced on Tuesday that the school can’t afford to keep its doors open to future students.
The decision came after “a combination of financial challenges,” which include increased operating costs due to inflationary pressures, changing enrollment trends, a significant drop in philanthropic giving, and the rejection by Gov. Kim Reynolds of a proposal for federal COVID funding, the university said in a news release.
“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,” University President Christine Plunkett said in a statement. “Our focus is now on assuring our over 850 students have a smooth transition to another educational opportunity.”
