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Ohio Valley University in West Virginia to Close its Doors

Ohio Valley University in West Virginia to Close its Doors

“We hold our heads high knowing we did the right things for the right reasons.”

There is more of this to come. The economy and the pandemic are having a severe effect on smaller schools.

The Christian Chronicle reports:

Breaking: Ohio Valley University decides to close

Trustees of Ohio Valley University in Vienna, W.Va., have voted to close the 63-year-old Christian university.

OVU, which is associated with Churches of Christ, informed students, faculty and staff today of the decision not to offer classes in the spring 2022 semester, President Michael Ross confirmed to The Christian Chronicle.

“We strive to be an institution that conducts business with integrity while being good stewards of our resources,” Ross said. “Our current situation precludes us from doing that. I am proud of what we have accomplished and the changes we made to preserve the mission of the school. We hold our heads high knowing we did the right things for the right reasons.”

In a text message, he added: “As we struggled through this process, we have focused on the following Scripture: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.’ Proverbs 3:5-6.”

OVU is working on a plan to help seniors finish their education at other schools, Ross said. The university hopes to offer a college fair Friday. Total enrollment had dipped below 200.

Last week, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission posted a Dec. 10 meeting agenda with a resolution urging revocation of OVU’s authorization to confer degrees in the state, effective June 30, 2022. That resolution was scheduled to be considered this Friday.

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Pretty awesome donor . . . .

“ While OVU has failed to make payroll since July, a donor who wishes to be anonymous has committed $900,000 pay all employees their full salaries through the end of December, said Don Lallathin, the university’s director of philanthropy.”

If some visionary ever decides to open a based university to employ all the canceled professors, it looks like finding a shovel-ready physical plant will not be difficult in the next few years.