Northland College Votes to Close After 133 Years

ASHLAND, Wis. (Northern News Now) – Northland College will officially close at the end of the 2024–25 academic year after the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to cease operations. The decision follows an ongoing struggle to maintain financial stability amid declining enrollment and rising operational costs.

On Wednesday, the board announced that they could no longer meet the financial challenges facing the institution, which is recognized as the nation’s first environmentally-focused liberal arts college. “Despite the collaborative efforts of the entire Northland family, we no longer have the resources needed to navigate the economic and demographic storms endangering small, liberal arts institutions today,” said Ted Bristol, Chair of the Northland College Board of Trustees.

The announcement comes after the board declared financial exigency in March 2024, which was a formal acknowledgment of the institution’s dire financial situation. The school had aimed to raise $12 million to prevent closure but fell short of this goal, leading to the final decision.

In its Facebook post regarding the closure, the college stated, “We are proud of our little school on the great lake and its 133-year legacy of students doing transformative work for good in the world.” The school highlighted the impact it has had on many lives over the years, contributing positively to the local community and beyond.

Northland College made several attempts to cut costs, which included streamlining its academic offerings and reducing staff. Furthermore, the resignation of President Chad Dayton was accepted, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, Barb Lundberg, has been appointed interim president.

Throughout their fundraising efforts, over 1,000 donors supported initiatives aimed at safeguarding the college’s future. However, despite these contributions, the Board of Trustees ultimately concluded that there was no sustainable path forward for Northland College.

As the academic year progresses, Northland College will begin preparations for its closure, emphasizing support for students and staff affected by this decision.