After eight decades, Anna Maria College, a private Catholic college in Paxton, Massachusetts, is permanently closing at the end of the spring semester and laying off at least 150 employees.
Masslive.com reports that the college president and Board of Trustees publicly announced the closure on April 23.
"The decision reflects years of financial pressure that we were ultimately unable to overcome, and the honest recognition that continuing would not be responsible to the students, faculty, and staff who depend on us," College President Sean Ryan and the Board of Trustees said in a message to the community. "We tried to find a way. We are grateful to everyone who tried alongside us. And we are deeply, genuinely sorry we found no viable path forward.”
A commencement ceremony is still planned for seniors graduating this year. The first round of staff layoffs is set to take effect between June 22 and June 30.
The college has established transfer pathway agreements with Worcester State University, Regis College, Springfield College, Bay Path University and Fitchburg State University.
Each partner has committed to guaranteed admission, comparable financial aid and evaluation of transfer credits earned at Anna Maria.
For faculty and staff, the college said it is offering services through its Human Resources.
Anna Maria is among more than two dozen Massachusetts colleges that have closed over the past decade.
