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“The End of the Line?” – Limestone University Faces Closure After Nearly 180 Years

By James Seidel | CC News Network

GAFFNEY, SC — Limestone University, South Carolina’s oldest Christian liberal arts institution, is on the brink of closure after nearly two centuries of operation. In an emotional and urgent announcement this week, university leaders revealed that without a $6 million emergency infusion by April 22, Limestone will be forced to shutter its residential campus, discontinue athletics, and transition to an online-only model—or potentially shut down altogether.

“We’ve simply run out of runway,” one school official told local media, referring to the university’s ballooning $30 million debt and long-standing financial pressures that have now become insurmountable.

Founded in 1845 as South Carolina’s first women’s college, Limestone has stood as a cultural and economic cornerstone in Cherokee County. But a confluence of declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and structural challenges faced by small private colleges has driven the institution to the financial edge.

➤ More Than a Campus: A Community Anchor

Limestone’s impact on the Gaffney community has been enormous. According to estimates from the university, its annual economic contribution to Cherokee County stands at $150 million—a figure that reflects not only jobs and local business support, but also the intangible energy and pride it has brought to the region.

Gaffney Mayor Lyman Dawkins III, a Limestone alumnus, issued a heartfelt statement in response to the news:

“The news of Limestone University’s potential closure is devastating. It has withstood the Civil War, the Great Depression, and numerous national crises. Its students helped breathe life into our downtown and their departure would be a loss that ripples across generations.”

As the April 22 board meeting approaches, the university is appealing for support from private donors, alumni, and the broader public. The requested $6 million would serve as a stabilization fund, buying time to explore long-term solutions and potentially preserving Limestone’s on-campus identity.

➤ Athletics Programs Collapse; Staff and Students Left in Limbo

The fallout from the announcement was immediate. Head Football Coach Jerricho Cotchery, a former NFL standout, shared a heartfelt message on social media following the news:

“Words can’t express how heartbroken I am for my staff and players… They poured everything into this program. You won’t find a better group of people.”

Dozens of student-athletes have entered the transfer portal, posting about their eligibility and seeking new opportunities. Player Shoun Brown tweeted:

“Due to Limestone University shutting down, I am entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer with 1 year of eligibility. Praise Jesus!”

Student Kaden Kline added:

“I will be entering the transfer portal with 4 years of eligibility.”

The announcement affects more than 300 university staff and faculty, who now face impending layoffs as early as the end of April. Many expressed shock and sadness, having received little warning about the full extent of the institution’s financial peril.

➤ From Prestige to Precipice

Limestone, a non-denominational Christian college, officially became Limestone University in 2020 after years of academic expansion and investment in facilities—including the Hines-Riggins Center, completed in 2021.

Despite these efforts, the broader higher education landscape has grown increasingly hostile to small private colleges. Limestone now joins the growing list of institutions nationwide facing closure or drastic restructuring due to debt, demographic shifts, and post-COVID enrollment drops.

➤ Online Future? Or Last Chapter?

Limestone’s board has not yet made a final decision. In a statement, Randall Richardson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said:

“We remain committed to our students. We are working directly with them to help identify the best path forward to complete their educational journey.”

If no funding is secured, the university will end all in-person operations at the close of the spring semester, with online courses continuing in a reduced form. Athletics and on-campus housing would cease, and the university’s nearly 1,600 students would need to find transfer options or online pathways.

North Greenville University has already offered support, saying in a public statement:

“The Limestone community is in our prayers… NGU stands ready to assist as needed.”

➤ CC News Network’s Take

What’s unfolding at Limestone is not just a story about one school—it’s a warning shot for private institutions across the South. It’s a reminder that legacy, tradition, and community impact can be no match for cold numbers and balance sheets. But it’s also a test of will—can a school that has endured for 179 years survive one more trial?

We’ll find out soon. The board meets April 22. And the next chapter—whether a rebirth or a requiem—is about to be written.