May 3, 2025

Newberry College Offers Support for Limestone University Community

News Summary

In response to Limestone University’s closure announcement due to financial difficulties, Newberry College is stepping in to provide numerous benefits for affected students, faculty, and staff. Measures include guaranteed transfer credits, waived enrollment fees, and an accelerated admissions process for students planning to transfer. Newberry also intends to honor existing tuition remission programs for Limestone employees. The closure of Limestone, affecting 1,600 students and over 300 staff, will culminate with graduation ceremonies in May 2025, leaving a significant gap in the local economy.

Newberry, SC – In a show of solidarity and community support, Newberry College has announced a range of benefits for students, faculty, and staff of Limestone University following the recent announcement of the latter’s closure. Limestone University, which has operated for nearly 180 years, will cease operations at the end of the spring 2025 semester due to a significant budget shortfall of $6 million.

Dr. David Harpool, the transitional president of Newberry College, expressed the institution’s commitment to providing compassion and continuity during this challenging time. The decision to close Limestone University affects approximately 1,600 students and over 300 employees, with layoff notices issued to 478 faculty and staff on April 17, 2025.

To facilitate a smooth transition for transferring students, Newberry College is implementing several support measures. Among these, they are offering guaranteed transfer credit for all completed coursework from Limestone, provided that minimum GPA requirements and passing grades are met. Additionally, Newberry College will waive enrollment fees, aiming to reduce financial burdens on students who wish to transfer.

An accelerated admissions process is also being established to help students secure their academic futures swiftly. Newberry College plans to match institutional aid previously awarded to Limestone students, further easing the transition. Students who prefer to remain off-campus will automatically receive commuter status.

In addition to supporting students, Newberry College is extending assistance to Limestone faculty and staff by respecting existing tuition remission benefits for employees and their eligible dependents. For those utilizing Limestone’s tuition remission for the 2025–2026 academic year, comparable access will be available through Newberry’s program.

The financial crisis at Limestone University came to light in mid-April 2025, prompting the “Together for Limestone” campaign, which aimed to raise funds but ultimately gathered only $2.143 million. The institution, originally founded as Limestone College in 1845, was the first women’s college in South Carolina and transitioned to coeducation in later years. Despite its long history, the financial struggles proved insurmountable, leading to the closure announcement.

Newberry College’s proactive approach to assist the affected community comes in the wake of a transfer fair hosted by Limestone, which attracted over 1,700 students seeking alternative educational opportunities after the closure news. In addition to Newberry, other regional institutions such as Erskine College, Coker University, and Young Harris College have also offered support for affected Limestone students looking to transfer.

The forthcoming closure of Limestone University is set to culminate in final commencement ceremonies on May 3, 2025, where graduates will be celebrated despite the institution’s demise. The impact of Limestone’s closure is not just an educational loss; it will also reverberate through the local economy, where the university contributed an estimated $150 million annually.

Dr. Harpool reiterates Newberry College’s mission of extending dignity, hope, and a sense of belonging to all those impacted by the closure, spotlighting the importance of community solidarity in the face of adversity.

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