Cherokee County officials react as closure looms over historic Limestone University
I’M JANE ROBELOT WITH RASHAD WILLIAMS, AND WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS AT 4:00. A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY AT LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY IN GAFFNEY. WE WANT TO GET RIGHT OUT TO OUR NATE STANLEY JOINING US LIVE FROM GAFFNEY WITH THE DETAILS THIS AFTERNOON. NATE, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US WHAT’S GOING ON THERE? WELL, RASHAD JANE, WE’RE TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF $6 MILLION OF FINANCIAL NEED, LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING AN ONLINE ONLY OPTION OR CONSIDERING CLOSING THE UNIVERSITY AS A WHOLE SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE. JUST BEING HERE IN THE LAST 30 MINUTES OR SO, WE’VE TALKED WITH STUDENTS AS THEY WERE LEARNING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. STUDENTS VERY EMOTIONAL, TELLING US THAT THEY WERE BLINDSIDED BY THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. LOOKING AT THE HISTORY OF THIS UNIVERSITY. IT WAS FOUNDED BACK IN 1845 AS LIMESTONE COLLEGE. IT WAS THEN THE FIRST WOMEN’S COLLEGE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. IN 2020, IT WENT FROM LIMESTONE COLLEGE TO LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY. THE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED THEY CAMPAIGN A CAMPAIGN JUST A COUPLE MONTHS AGO TO TRY AND RAISE MONEY MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO REDO OR EXPAND SEVERAL ATHLETIC VENUES. HERE’S WHAT THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT HAD TO SAY ABOUT THEIR. DECISION. I JOINED LIMESTONE ABOUT TEN MONTHS AGO, AND SINCE THEN WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO RAISE MONEY, LOOK AT PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX IN WAYS THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CLOSE THE GAP. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY, THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL MEET ON APRIL 22ND TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS FOR THE UNIVERSITY AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. WE’LL BE BACK AT 6:00 WITH MORE FROM THE PRESIDENT, AND HEAR FROM SOME OF THE STUDENTS LATER TONIGHT.
Cherokee County officials react as closure looms over historic Limestone University
Updated: 9:57 PM EDT Apr 16, 2025
On Wednesday, Limestone University announced that financial uncertainty is causing school officials to decide on the future of the nearly two-century-old school.Officials with Cherokee County released the following statement regarding the possible closure of the university:”For 179 years, Limestone has been a cornerstone of our community — not only as an institution of higher learning but as a significant contributor to the economic and cultural fabric of our county. “The news of its impending closure is both heartbreaking and deeply concerning. Limestone has shaped generations of students, employed countless educators and professionals, and supported local businesses, creating a lasting impact on families and the local economy alike.”Many of us have close ties to Limestone through family, friends, and colleagues, and the ripple effects of this closure will be felt far beyond its campus, touching households and businesses across the entire county.”Our thoughts are with the university’s leadership as they face these incredibly difficult decisions, and with the alumni, faculty, staff, students, and local businesses who are all affected by this loss. “Our community stands with you during this challenging time.”
CHEROKEE COUNTY, S.C. —On Wednesday, Limestone University announced that financial uncertainty is causing school officials to decide on the future of the nearly two-century-old school.
Officials with Cherokee County released the following statement regarding the possible closure of the university:
“For 179 years, Limestone has been a cornerstone of our community — not only as an institution of higher learning but as a significant contributor to the economic and cultural fabric of our county.
“The news of its impending closure is both heartbreaking and deeply concerning. Limestone has shaped generations of students, employed countless educators and professionals, and supported local businesses, creating a lasting impact on families and the local economy alike.
“Many of us have close ties to Limestone through family, friends, and colleagues, and the ripple effects of this closure will be felt far beyond its campus, touching households and businesses across the entire county.
“Our thoughts are with the university’s leadership as they face these incredibly difficult decisions, and with the alumni, faculty, staff, students, and local businesses who are all affected by this loss.
“Our community stands with you during this challenging time.”
