On April 10th, the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus announced that the Wheeling Jesuit University’s current affiliation with the Jesuits will end at the end of this academic year. This will include a change to the name of the university as the name “Jesuit” is owned by the Society of Jesus. All Jesuits on the Board of Trustees are resigning at this time.
The Maryland Province cited the reorganization of the university due to financial pressures as a key reason in the withdrawal of support:
Continued financial challenges at the University recently led the Board of Trustees to declare financial exigency. In response to that declaration, University leadership developed a reorganization plan that includes eliminating numerous academic programs, as well as faculty and staff positions. With nearly all Jesuit positions eliminated, and without sufficient lay Ignatian leadership and programming to support the Jesuit identity of the University, the Jesuit affiliation of the University will not be able to continue.
This follows the announcement that Wheeling Jesuit University would refocus its academic programs and cut programs such as theology and philosophy. President Mihalyo suggested that this was the only way to ensure the stability of the university. The university will continue to be affiliated with the Catholic Church and the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
The photo is featured courtesy of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus