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 Lincoln
College has survived many difficult and challenging times – the
economic crisis of 1887, a major campus fire in 1912, the Spanish
flu of 1918, the Great Depression, World War II, the 2008 global
financial crisis, and more, but this is different. Lincoln College
needs help to survive.
The institution experienced record-breaking student enrollment in
Fall 2019, with residence halls at maximum capacity. Unfortunately,
the coronavirus pandemic dramatically impacted recruitment and
fundraising efforts, sporting events, and all campus life
activities. The economic burdens initiated by the pandemic required
large investments in technology and campus safety measures, as well
as a significant drop in enrollment with students choosing to
postpone college or take a leave of absence, which impacted the
institution’s financial position.
Furthermore, Lincoln College was a victim of a cyberattack in
December 2021 that thwarted admissions activities and hindered
access to all institutional data, creating an unclear picture of
Fall 2022 enrollment projections. All systems required for
recruitment, retention, and fundraising efforts were inoperable.
Fortunately, no personal identifying information was exposed. Once
fully restored in March 2022, the projections displayed significant
enrollment shortfalls, requiring a transformational donation or
partnership to sustain Lincoln College beyond the current semester.
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“Lincoln College has been serving students from across the globe
for more than 157 years,” said David Gerlach, president of Lincoln College. “The
loss of history, careers, and a community of students and alumni is immense.”
The institution has worked tirelessly to strengthen its financial
position through fundraising campaigns, selling assets, consolidating employee
positions, and exploring alternatives for the leased building in Normal.
Unfortunately, these efforts did not create long-term viability for Lincoln
College in the face of the pandemic.
Lincoln College encourages individuals to review the FAQ documents on the
Lincoln College website for more information regarding the closure process.
Academic support and transitional services will be available to students through
the remainder of the semester.
“Though we are experiencing undeniable grief and sadness, we find comfort in
knowing Lincoln College has served generations of alumni who have undoubtedly
impacted our world.”
[Lauren Grenlund]
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