Saint Leo University, a liberal arts institution in Florida, will merge with Marymount California University, a liberal arts institution on the West Coast. The two Roman Catholic universities, more than 2,500 miles apart, sealed the deal Thursday after seven months of negotiations. Leaders at both institutions hope to complete the transaction by January 2023, according to Brian Marcotte, president of Marymount California. Saint Leo will seek approval of the acquisition from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, its accreditor, beginning Sept. 1. But Marymount is just the beginning of Saint Leo’s growth, according to Senese. He has a visit scheduled next week with another potential acquisition candidate.
