JACKSON, Tenn. - Officials of Lambuth University have decided to close the school after 168 years.
After a board of trustees meeting, officials announced on Thursday afternoon that the United Methodist Church-affiliated private university, founded in 1843, would close its doors June 30 after struggling financially for years and losing its accreditation in December.
Sophomore April Denison cried after hearing the news.
"It's like a death," the 20-year-old English and psychology major told The Jackson Sun. "I had a plan B in case it did [close], but I didn't want to have to use it. I've only been here two years, but Lambuth has given me so much and I'm so grateful."
In the time between now and July, Lambuth will focus on graduating the roughly 90 students who will be eligible to earn a degree.
Officials also are working to establish agreements with four other colleges that would allow undergraduates who wanted to transfer to keep their full credits and pay equivalent tuition costs.