Ursuline School now has a clearer imaginative and prescient of the way it will proceed its lengthy historical past as a number one supplier of Catholic increased schooling in Northeast Ohio.
To be particular, Ursuline and Gannon College plan to create the largest Catholic system of upper schooling alongside Lake Erie by the signing of a brand new strategic settlement.
The Boards of Trustees for each Gannon College and Ursuline School permitted a definitive settlement to hitch their establishments by Dec. 15, 2026, topic to all required approvals, in keeping with a information launch.
Gannon’s board permitted the settlement on Dec. 17, and Ursuline’s board permitted it Dec. 19.
“That is really a day to have a good time as we transfer ahead in our partnership with Gannon College,” David King, president of Pepper Pike-based Ursuline School, acknowledged within the launch. “Due to our strengths, we had decisions. We selected this pathway as a result of it preserves our mission and can provide new and expanded alternatives for our college students.
“There’s a deep reservoir of alignment between our two establishments that’s outstanding.”
The definitive settlement follows the announcement in September that the 2 faculties had signed a letter of intent to enter right into a strategic partnership. The discharge famous now {that a} important quantity of due diligence has been accomplished, each establishments are assured within the path ahead.
Integration groups from Ursuline and Gannon are working collectively to find out the perfect methods to mix the strengths of each establishments. When the definitive settlement is permitted by accreditors, in June, a change of management will take impact with remaining regulatory and accreditors approvals coming over an 18-month transition interval to observe, in keeping with the discharge.
On the finish of the transition interval, the 2 establishments will probably be mixed underneath Gannon College, primarily based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Ursuline School will probably be operated as an extra location of Gannon with distinct tutorial applications, athletics and amenities.
The Ursuline School title will probably be retained all through the partnership, and the college will turn into the Ursuline School Campus of Gannon College.
“Because the panorama of upper schooling experiences turbulent instances, significantly with smaller Catholic establishments, our imaginative and prescient is targeted on a profitable collaboration that can provide a mannequin of educational excellence and mutual respect of our particular person identities, all whereas creating a brand new shared tradition and mixed power,” King acknowledged within the launch.
Officers famous that for college kids, this subsequent step doesn’t have an effect on tuition, monetary assist or scholarships they might have with Ursuline. These will proceed, as will athletic and tutorial applications. College students may also get pleasure from research overseas and multi-campus course choices.
“The settlement gives complete protections for each establishments whereas guaranteeing correct dealing with of regulatory necessities,” Gannon President Walter Iwanenko acknowledged within the launch. “Nevertheless, success requires cautious consideration to timelines, regulatory compliance and operational integration.”
Ursuline School is a sponsored ministry of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland. The Sisters’ management board additionally has permitted the definitive settlement.
“The Ursuline Sisters are delighted that Ursuline School and Gannon College have taken the following step in making a partnership that enhances the excellence of each establishments of upper studying,” Sister Laura Bregar, president of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland, acknowledged within the launch. “Collaborating on this endeavor extends the legacy of the Ursuline Sisters and the Gospel mission of incarnating the Phrase of God by schooling and the promise of a vibrant future.”
She added that the sisters assist this merger as a result of it ensures ongoing Catholic schooling with respect for the mission of the Ursuline Sisters.
Negotiations on the definitive settlement had been underway because the letter of intent was introduced on Sept. 16.
13 integration groups overlaying every thing from teachers to expertise have begun collaborative work to develop plans on the way to optimally function the 2 establishments, in keeping with the discharge. This work by staff of each establishments is predicted to proceed all through 2025.
The Information-Herald commends the leaders of Ursuline School and Gannon College for creating a strategic settlement to protect and strengthen every establishment, and construct a greater future for each faculties.
