Cardinal Stritch University Set To Close In May

GLENDALE, WI — After being established in 1937, Cardinal Stritch University in Glendale will close its doors in May, the university's president announced in a video Monday.

The university offered dozens of programs and was home to over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school boasts over 40,000 alumni and a 70 percent retention rate. But this spring semester will be the school's last.

"I wish there was a different path we could pursue, however, the fiscal realities, downward enrollment trends, the pandemic, the need for more resources and the mounting operational facility challenges presented a no-win situation," said University President Dan Scholz in a video.

The decision is effective May 22. Scholz said some students may be able to wrap up academics over the summer, but a majority of students will be worked with to transfer to new schools.

"In the end," Scholz said, "it was determined that we could no longer continue to provide the high-quality educational experiences our students rightly deserve."

The school's final "bittersweet" commencement will take place on May 21, Scholz said.
"On that day and beyond we can and should celebrate the spiritual, intellectual and moral development of our graduates and the thousands of other students that have been part of the Cardinal Stritch family since 1937," Scholz said.

Students and other people impacted by the university closure can find more information at Cardinal Stritch's website.