Thursday, November 15, 2018

Iowa Wesleyan struggles with daunting future - Vanessa Miller, Iowa Gazette

Iowa Wesleyan University, the private liberal arts school in Mount Pleasant with a storied history that began before Iowa became a state, is considering closing amid “significant financial challenges” confronting higher education. “The university does not have a healthy endowment or extensive donor network,” Iowa Wesleyan President Steven E. Titus wrote in a message late last week on the school’s website. “We have attempted to secure funding to establish a solid financial base. Unfortunately, several anticipated gifts simply have not materialized,” he wrote — despite accomplishments including a doubled enrollment, gains in student retention and having a committed faculty and staff. “At this moment, the university does not have the required financial underpinnings to bridge the gap between strong enrollment and new programming, and the money needed to keep the institution open,” Titus wrote. https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/education/iowa-wesleyan-close-funds-financial-challenge-20181103