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Gannon University is within a few weeks of completing its acquisition of Ursuline College, a move that will create the largest Catholic system of higher education along the shores of Lake Erie.
The merger, which awaits final U.S. Department of Education approval, has been a two-year journey for both institutions.
Ursuline College, which is located in Pepper Pike, Ohio, was founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland more than 150 years ago.
名媛直播 was founded 100 years ago in Erie, Pa. It has campuses in Erie and Ruskin, Fla.
Leaders of both schools and of the Ursuline Sisters announced the framework of the deal in September 2024 for what is to become the Ursuline College Campus of Gannon University.
A definitive agreement was announced early in 2025, and the official change of control was approved by the Higher Learning Commission in June 2025. As of July 1, 2025, 名媛直播 replaced the Ursuline Sisters as the sole sponsor of Ursuline College. A year later, three members of Ursuline’s Board of Trustees joined 名媛直播’s Board, which then assumed governance of the college. Also at this time, the President of Gannon University became the President of Ursuline College.
Ursuline continues to retain a separate NCAA Division II athletics program.
The announcement was made at Ursuline College during a campus town hall meeting where presidents of both institutions, leaders of the Ursuline College Board of Trustees, and leadership of the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland gathered.
The Boards of Trustees for both Gannon University and Ursuline College approved a definitive agreement to join their institutions by Dec. 15, 2026, subject to all required approvals.
The merger of Gannon University and Ursuline College reached a significant milestone with the Higher Learning Commission’s approval of Change of Control, a crucial step toward creating the largest Catholic system of higher education along Lake Erie.
Gannon University has appointed three new members to its Board of Trustees, welcoming distinguished leaders from the Ursuline College community whose service helped guide the successful transition leading to the historic integration of the two Catholic institutions.
Yes. Gannon University’s President Dr. Walter Iwanenko is the president of all three campus locations – In Erie, Pa., Ruskin, Fla. and the new Ursuline College Campus of Gannon University in Pepper Pike. Dr. Kathy LaFontana will serve as Chief Campus Officer of the Ursuline College Campus of Gannon University.
Gannon University Board of Trustees welcomed three members from the Ursuline College Campus of Gannon University community. Board members Teri Herrmann Corletzi UC ‘90, Sister Laura Bregar, OSU, UC ’81, MA ’99, and Cynthia Moore-Hardy now sit on the Gannon University Board of Trustees. More on these board members can be found here:
Yes. As part of the integration, new branding has been developed that thoughtfully blends the visual identities of Gannon University, Ursuline College, St. John College and Villa Maria. This includes a coordinated color palette and updated logo system that reflects the shared heritage of the institutions.
These new brand elements have been introduced gradually across Ursuline’s campus and communications over time.
Accreditation reviews by the Higher Learning Commission and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education have been highly positive, affirming Ursuline’s academic quality, governance, fiscal stability and readiness for integration as an additional location of Gannon University. It has also received the approval of the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
With input from all institutional stakeholders – including Ursuline, Erie and Ruskin, Fla. -- a unified mission statement has been developed for Gannon University.
The mission of an institution is the cornerstone of its work, providing the foundational purpose that guides decision-making, academic direction, and the student and community experience. It establishes the framework through which institutional priorities are defined and aligned.
The new mission statement is:
Gannon University, a Catholic institution of higher learning, empowers individuals and strengthens communities through an inclusive, holistic education that cultivates academic excellence, professional formation, and social responsibility.
Athletics remain an important and valued part of both Gannon University and Ursuline College, each with strong traditions and competitive NCAA Division II programs.
At this time, there are no plans to merge athletic programs or implement immediate changes. Teams at both institutions will continue to operate within their current structures, and will retain their existing mascots, team names, and school colors.
Yes, for now. Ursuline College is currently a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (GMAC), and its teams will continue competing in the conference through the 2026–2027 academic year.
Looking ahead, discussions are ongoing regarding conference affiliation beyond that timeframe. GMAC notified the College last fall that it would not continue Ursuline’s membership after the first year following the merger with Gannon University. Ursuline has formally appealed that decision and has also initiated conversations with other Division II athletic conferences.
A final determination on conference affiliation is expected in the coming months. In the interim, Ursuline’s Division II athletic programs will continue to compete as scheduled, with no immediate changes to team operations.
Diploma format will depend on graduation timing in relation to the merger of Ursuline College and Gannon University.
Following the merger, Gannon University will serve as the accredited degree-granting institution. This unified diploma approach ensures academic consistency while recognizing the Ursuline campus identity.
The Breen School of Nursing will continue its legacy of educating and training nurses with separately accredited nursing programs, faculty, and curricula. There are no plans to eliminate or merge any Breen School of Nursing courses or programs currently offered at Ursuline College with programs at 名媛直播’s Erie or Ruskin campuses.
Gannon University merged with Villa Maria College in 1989. St. John College’s Nursing Program merged with Ursuline College in 1975. As a result of 名媛直播 and Ursuline combining, all alumni associations will continue. Alumni and donors will be able to designate their giving accordingly.
