AND THE SETBACKS HE IS FACING. WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS OUT OF GAFFNEY. LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY IS CLOSING ITS DOORS. THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MET TONIGHT TO DECIDE IF THE SCHOOL WILL REMAIN OPEN. HAVE TO MOVE ONLINE OR CLOSE ENTIRELY. THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN RAISING MONEY TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN. WE’VE BEEN KEEPING YOU UPDATED IN RECENT DAYS ON THAT AMID A FINANCIAL CRISIS. SO THIS AFTERNOON, WE DID LEARN THAT LIMESTONE HAD RECEIVED ANOTHER $1 MILLION DONATION TO A GROWING FUND TO HELP THE SCHOOL STAY OPEN. OFFICIALS SAY LIMESTONE HAD $6 MILLION NEEDED IN ORDER TO STAY OPEN. LIMESTONE’S PRESIDENT TELLING US THE ORIGINAL GOAL WAS TO GARNER MONEY THROUGH FUNDRAISERS AND PARTNERSHIPS, BUT THAT ULTIMATELY DID NOT WORK. RANDALL RICHARDSON, CHAIR OF LIMESTONE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, SAID IN A STATEMENT. WE WANT TO THANK THE ALMOST 200 RECENT SUPPORTERS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS WHO COMMITTED A COLLECTIVE $2.143 MILLION. WE HAD HOPED THAT WOULD BE ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN OUR INSTITUTION. BUT IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WE COULD NOT CONTINUE OPERATIONS ON CAMPUS OR ONLINE WITHOUT A GREATER AMOUNT OF FUNDING. PRESIDENT NATHAN COPELAND ALSO SENT AN EMAIL TO FACULTY AND STUDENTS THAT READ IN PART, I KNOW THE PAST FEW DAYS GAVE US GREAT HOPE, FUELED BY GENEROUS COMMITMENTS OF MEANINGFUL DONATIONS, BUT OUR BOARD CAREFULLY REVIEWED ALL OPTIONS AND ARRIVED AT THE PAINFUL DECISION THAT EVEN WITH THOSE KIND OF DONATIONS, WE DO NOT HAVE A VIABLE FINANCIAL PATH FORWARD. END QUOTE. STUDENTS TELL US TONIGHT’S DECISION WAS HEARTBREAKING. YOU KNOW, I HAD A COUPLE SCHOOLS REACH OUT, BUT, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE I’M IN HIGH SCHOOL AGAIN. YOU KNOW, THIS WHOLE RECRUITING PROCESS AGAIN AND NOBODY REALLY WANTS TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN WILLINGLY. AND ESPECIALLY ME. I MEAN, WE LOVED IT HERE. I MEAN, WE’RE A BIG FAMILY HERE. EVERYBODY HANGS OUT WITH EVERYBODY, AND IT’S JUST KIND OF HARD, YOU KNOW? BUT I MEAN, WE’LL WE’LL ALL BE FRIENDS STILL ONE DAY AND MAYBE WE’LL HAVE A BIG LIMESTONE UNION OR SOMETHING. YOU KNOW? THE UNIVERSITY WILL PROCEED WITH AN ORDERLY WIND DOWN PROCESS. IT WILL CONTINUE TO ASSIST CURRENT STUDENTS WITH TRANSFERRING TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS AND TO SUPPORT FACULTY AND STAFF DURING THE TRANSITION. NATE STANLEY HAS BEEN ON CAMPUS FOR MOST OF THE DAY. HE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE. NATE. WELL, GOOD EVENING. SINCE ABOUT 8 P.M. TONIGHT, THERE WAS A LARGE CROWD OF STUDENTS STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING BEHIND ME. THERE WAS AND NERVOUS ANTICIPATION FOR MOST OF THE EVENING WHEN WE SAW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD LEAVE THE ROOM. THE AREA OUT HERE GOT QUIET. AND THEN ONCE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE, THERE WAS SCREAMS AND CRYING FROM THE CROWD. I’M JOINED BY A STUDENT, COURTNEY MILLER. YOU WERE OUT HERE WHEN THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE. TALK ME THROUGH WHAT THAT WAS LIKE FOR YOU. SO WE GOT AN EMAIL FROM DOCTOR COPELAND, WHO’S OUR PRESIDENT, EXPRESSING THAT THE SCHOOL WAS GOING TO BE CLOSING AFTER THE WEEK OF FALSE HOPE THAT WE WERE GIVEN. A LOT OF MY FRIENDS THAT I WAS SITTING NEXT TO WERE MAKING JOKES AND TRYING TO KIND OF LIGHTEN THE MOOD. BUT DEEP DOWN, I KNOW WE WERE ALL REALLY UPSET TO FIND OUT. AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT FOR YOU AS AN ATHLETE AS WELL AS YOUR FRIENDS HERE AS STUDENTS? I MEAN, WHAT ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO DO MOVING FORWARD? FOR ME PERSONALLY, IN MY TEAM, OF COURSE, I KNOW A LOT OF US ARE PLANNING ON ENTERING THE PORTAL TO GO AND PLAY AT A DIFFERENT INSTITUTION. MAYBE NOT ONE AS AMAZING AS LIMESTONE, BUT JUST SOMEWHERE ELSE. IN TERMS OF STUDENTS, I’M NOT REALLY SURE AGAIN WHAT THEY’RE GOING TO BE DOING. I HAVE A GOOD FRIEND, TOMMY, WHO IS A STUDENT STAFF MEMBER HERE, AND HIS TUITION IS COVERED BY THE SCHOOL BECAUSE HE’S A STAFF MEMBER AS WELL. SO FOR STUDENTS LIKE HIM AND PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT ATHLETES, I’M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THEIR NEXT MOVES ARE. BUT I KNOW FOR US ATHLETES AND SPECIFIC, HITTING THE PORTAL IS GOING TO BE OUR NEXT MOVE. WELL THANK YOU COURTNEY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU UPDATED AS NEW INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE AND WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS MOVING FORWARD. REPORTING FROM LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY. NATE STANLEY, WYFF NEWS FOUR. A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY AHEAD, NATE. THANK YOU. LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY THE SCHOOL BRINGS IN AROUND $150 MILLION IN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THE CHEROKEE COUNTY AREA. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THE MAJORITY OF THAT MONEY COMES FROM THE UNIVERSITY. STUDENTS WHO LIVE, WORK AND STUDY IN GAFFNEY. OFFICIALS SAY IT’S NOT JUST THEM SAYING THAT THEIR FAMILIES ALSO TAKE PART IN EVENTS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTY. THEY SAY A CLOSURE WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON EVERYBODY, INCLUDING THE BUSINESSES IN AND AROUND CHEROKEE COUNTY. THE STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, THEIR GRANDPARENTS, THE VISITING TEAMS WE CATER TO THEM. SO THEY BUY FOOD FROM US TO FEED THEIR STUDENTS, AND THEN THEIR PARENTS COME IN TOWN AND THEIR GRANDPARENTS COME IN TOWN BECAUSE THEIR CHAMPS DOWN THERE, YOU KNOW. SO IT’S A IT’S A BIG IMPACT. IT’S NOT JUST STUDENTS. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS LIMESTONE’S CLOSING WILL RESULT IN THE UNIVERSITY’S PROFESSORS HAVING TO FIND JOBS ELSEWHERE. THAT IS DUE TO THE LACK OF JOB AVAILABILITY. EVEN TODAY. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNIVERSITY’S TOGETHER FOR LIMESTONE CAMPAIGN CONTINUED TO POUR IN A SPECIAL GENERAL FUND TOGETHER FOR LIMESTONE WAS SET UP TO COVER THE BUDGET SHORTFALL. IT GOT AN IMMEDIATE $1 MILLION GIFT FROM THE FULLERTON FOUNDATION LATE LAST WEEK. YESTERDAY, A LOCAL GAFFNEY BUSINESS SAW SOME CONSTRUCTION GAVE A $100,000 GIFT. TODAY, TWO LOCAL DONORS CONTRIBUTED $500,000 GIFT EACH. THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT TELLS WIFE NEWS. FOR MORE THAN 160 OTHER MONETARY GIFTS CAME IN AS WELL. I THINK I’D LOVE TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT AND THANK EVERYONE. IT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING AND INCREDIBLE AND EMOTIONAL, AND THERE’S BEEN, YOU KNOW, TEARS SHED AND SMILES AND HUGS AND MEMORIES. SO MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. ALDRIDGE SAYS THERE WERE EVEN GIFTS COMING IN FROM PEOPLE WHO HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE UNIVERSITY, BUT WANTED TO SUPPORT HIGHER EDUCATION. IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE TOGETHER FOR LIMESTONE FUND IS ABLE TO RETURN CONTRIBUTIONS NOW TH
Board of Trustees makes decision on the future of Limestone University
Updated: 10:13 PM EDT Apr 30, 2025
The Limestone University Board of Trustees has made the decision to close the nearly 180-year-old institution in Gaffney, South Carolina.The university previously stated it needed $6 million to remain afloat for the fall semester.The financial uncertainty sparked the creation of the “Together for Limestone” campaign. The campaign allowed the community to donate unrestricted gifts to provide critical funding for the school in hopes of preventing closure. Last week, the Fullerton Foundation donated $1 million to the historic institution. On Tuesday, two pledges were made from local donors totaling another $1 million. The University released the following statement after reaching the decision to close the school:With deep sadness, Limestone University announced today that its Board of Trustees voted to discontinue both its on-campus and online programs, leading to the closure of the institution at the end of the current academic semester.“Despite exhaustive efforts to secure the funding necessary to continue our operations, we have come to the difficult conclusion that Limestone University has not been able to secure the necessary funding to sustain its operations,” said Randall Richardson, Chair of Limestone’s Board of Trustees. “We want to thank the almost 200 recent supporters in the last two weeks who committed a collective $2.143 million. We had hoped that would be enough to sustain our institution. But in the final analysis, we could not continue operations on-campus or online without a greater amount of funding.”Founded in 1845, Limestone has served generations of students, offering transformative educational experiences both on its Gaffney campus and through its online degree programs. However, long-standing financial pressures, declining enrollment trends, and rising operational costs made it impossible for the institution to remain sustainable without the immediate influx of substantial funding.“Words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel in having to share this news,” said Dr. Nathan Copeland, President of Limestone University. “Our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters fought tirelessly to save this historic institution. While the outcome is not what we hoped for, we are forever grateful for the passion, loyalty, and prayers of our Saints family.”The University will proceed with an orderly wind-down process. It will continue to assist current students with transferring to other institutions and to support faculty and staff during the transition. More detailed information about the closure timeline, academic records, transfer assistance, employment impact, and other support services will be provided in the coming days.For nearly two centuries, Limestone University has been a cornerstone of education and economic development in South Carolina and beyond, impacting thousands of lives and leaving a profound legacy.“Our Limestone spirit will endure through the lives of our students and alumni who carry it forward into the world,” Richardson added. “Though our doors may close, the impact of Limestone University will live on.”Despite today’s announcement, Limestone will hold its final commencement ceremonies at Fullerton Auditorium on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.The President of Limestone University sent the following email to students after reaching a decision late Tuesday night:Dear Saints Family,Words cannot fully express the sorrow I feel in having to share this heartbreaking news. Tonight the Limestone University Board of Trustees made the difficult decision to close our university for both in-person and online classes going forward.know the past few days gave us great hope fueled by generous commitments of meaningful donations, but our board carefully reviewed all options and arrived at the painful decision that even with those kind donations, we do not have a viable financial path forward.All of you fought tirelessly to save our historic institution.While the outcome is not what we hoped for, we are forever grateful for the passion, loyalty, and prayers of our Saints family.In the coming days you will receive more information about how we will proceed with winding down our operations and supporting those impacted by this change. Tonight, let’s just pause and remind ourselves that God is still in control, and He will guide each of us through this time of transition.-Nathan CopelandThank you,BrandiBrandi P. Hartman, MBAChief of StaffLimestone University will continue to conduct commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 3, in Fullerton Auditorium.Other coverage:
The Limestone University Board of Trustees has made the decision to close the nearly 180-year-old institution in Gaffney, South Carolina.
The university previously stated it needed $6 million to remain afloat for the fall semester.
The financial uncertainty sparked the creation of the “Together for Limestone” campaign. The campaign allowed the community to donate unrestricted gifts to provide critical funding for the school in hopes of preventing closure. Last week, the Fullerton Foundation donated $1 million to the historic institution. On Tuesday, two pledges were made from local donors totaling another $1 million.
The University released the following statement after reaching the decision to close the school:
With deep sadness, Limestone University announced today that its Board of Trustees voted to discontinue both its on-campus and online programs, leading to the closure of the institution at the end of the current academic semester.
“Despite exhaustive efforts to secure the funding necessary to continue our operations, we have come to the difficult conclusion that Limestone University has not been able to secure the necessary funding to sustain its operations,” said Randall Richardson, Chair of Limestone’s Board of Trustees. “We want to thank the almost 200 recent supporters in the last two weeks who committed a collective $2.143 million. We had hoped that would be enough to sustain our institution. But in the final analysis, we could not continue operations on-campus or online without a greater amount of funding.”
Founded in 1845, Limestone has served generations of students, offering transformative educational experiences both on its Gaffney campus and through its online degree programs. However, long-standing financial pressures, declining enrollment trends, and rising operational costs made it impossible for the institution to remain sustainable without the immediate influx of substantial funding.
“Words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel in having to share this news,” said Dr. Nathan Copeland, President of Limestone University. “Our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters fought tirelessly to save this historic institution. While the outcome is not what we hoped for, we are forever grateful for the passion, loyalty, and prayers of our Saints family.”
The University will proceed with an orderly wind-down process. It will continue to assist current students with transferring to other institutions and to support faculty and staff during the transition. More detailed information about the closure timeline, academic records, transfer assistance, employment impact, and other support services will be provided in the coming days.
For nearly two centuries, Limestone University has been a cornerstone of education and economic development in South Carolina and beyond, impacting thousands of lives and leaving a profound legacy.
“Our Limestone spirit will endure through the lives of our students and alumni who carry it forward into the world,” Richardson added. “Though our doors may close, the impact of Limestone University will live on.”
Despite today’s announcement, Limestone will hold its final commencement ceremonies at Fullerton Auditorium on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The President of Limestone University sent the following email to students after reaching a decision late Tuesday night:
Dear Saints Family,
Words cannot fully express the sorrow I feel in having to share this heartbreaking news. Tonight the Limestone University Board of Trustees made the difficult decision to close our university for both in-person and online classes going forward.
know the past few days gave us great hope fueled by generous commitments of meaningful donations, but our board carefully reviewed all options and arrived at the painful decision that even with those kind donations, we do not have a viable financial path forward.
All of you fought tirelessly to save our historic institution.
While the outcome is not what we hoped for, we are forever grateful for the passion, loyalty, and prayers of our Saints family.
In the coming days you will receive more information about how we will proceed with winding down our operations and supporting those impacted by this change. Tonight, let’s just pause and remind ourselves that God is still in control, and He will guide each of us through this time of transition.
-Nathan Copeland
Thank you,
Brandi
Brandi P. Hartman, MBA
Chief of Staff
Limestone University will continue to conduct commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 3, in Fullerton Auditorium.
Other coverage:
