Southern Catholic College announces abrupt closure, cites lack of funds

Apr 8, 2010 / 02:14 am

Southern Catholic College, a Legionaries of Christ institution, has announced that due to a lack of funds it will close on April 15, a month before the end of the spring semester.

Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC, sent an April 7 e-mail to all faculty, staff, and students about the abrupt closure. He reported that on March 31 college chaplain Fr. Brian Higgins visited a benefactor to seek help to ensure the financial viability of the college.

“I am extremely grateful to him for his effort –as I am grateful to the benefactor for even considering our petition for support,” Fr. Aaron wrote in his e-mail. “Unfortunately, it was not to be. This has proven to be the last in a series of efforts to procure financing that would allow us to at least complete the semester on May 13.”

“I deeply regret that I must inform you that, as of Thursday, April 15, Southern Catholic will close its doors for the semester,” he continued, apologizing that he could not deliver the message in person.

He announced a general assembly for faculty, staff and students on Monday, April 12 to field questions and to provide detailed information about transcripts, grades, graduation, insurance, unemployment, and other information.

He also informed students that the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative (NPEC) has confirmed that they will receive full credit for the entire semester. Students may stay on campus from April 11-15 to say goodbye to fellow students, collect their belongings, and collect relevant information from college offices.

“Words cannot express how profoundly sorrowful I am at this situation,” Fr. Aaron’s e-mail concluded. “Yet I also know that Our Lord has proven himself stronger than death and therefore stronger than our pain, weaknesses and circumstances. We must continually turn to him for strength.”

Southern Catholic College was founded in 2000. As of 2009 it had more than 200 students from 25 states on its Dawsonville, Georgia campus an hour’s drive north of Atlanta.

Last year the college and the Legionaries of Christ agreed to make the school a Legion institution.