Trinity Christian College Closure Sparks Emotional Reactions

On the first day of biology class about a decade ago at Trinity Christian College, a young woman asked if a particular seat was available. This chance question kicked off a semester of partnership and, eventually, romance. Andrew Kowitz invited the woman he met in biology on a scavenger hunt filled with note-card clues around Palos Heights campus. The trail included locations where they shared pivotal moments, ending at their old class spot where Andrew proposed. Casey Kowitz accepted. The couple, now married with two children, marked their sixth anniversary recently. Yet, the couple faces the poignant reality of Trinity’s shutdown.

Trinity’s board of trustees announced its closure due to financial pressures and decreasing enrollment. Acting President Jeanine Mozie stated in a video address that all potential solutions were exhausted without finding a sustainable path forward. Final commencement occurred on May 8, with graduating students gathering for their last ceremony. Many studied and family members, alongside alumni, were left in disbelief over losing their beloved school.

“Trinity was integral to us,” Casey Kowitz reflected. “Our lives wouldn’t be the same without it.”

The shutdown is part of a broader trend among Christian colleges, facing closures, mergers, or admissions halts. Institutions like Lincoln Christian University terminated academic operations, while others like Trinity International University sold campuses but continued operations elsewhere. This reflects broader challenges in American higher education, particularly for religious colleges, amid shrinking enrollment and financial constraints.

Education experts highlight that smaller, private colleges, both secular and religious, share similar challenges. The aftermath of COVID-19 added to these troubles, forcing many to adapt to online learning and leaving them vulnerable to demographic shifts.

For students, the closure of colleges like Trinity Christian is uniquely painful. Students find emotional connections tied deeply to their college experiences. Casey and Andrew Kowitz revisited campus traditions like Outcry worship services before the final curtain call of Trinity. “Trinity shaped who we are, our faith, our careers,” Casey said.

Another student, Julia Leidecker, described the abrupt and emotional journey of learning her school’s fate. After hearing the initial announcement, the campus atmosphere shifted dramatically from vibrant to somber as plans altered swiftly. Leidecker plans to move to St. Xavier University but expressed nerves about the transition.

“Creating new relationships is daunting,” she noted. “At Trinity, we were like family.”

Throughout the U.S., several Christian colleges, including Providence Christian College, announced closures. Despite this trend, some religious colleges are thriving. Reports cite growth at Protestant institutions, partially through expanded online programs. Some schools thrive due to local demographic factors or specialized religious affiliation. Tracy Schorle, reflecting her daughter’s disappointment over Trinity’s closure, said, “Expressing faith in a shared setting like a school hits differently.”

Across the nation, small institutions face an enrollment cliff, spurred by past recession effects on birth rates. A negative public opinion towards higher education further complicates institutions’ futures. Surveys show skepticism toward the value of college education and tuition costs.

For alumni like Kylla Hutcherson, Trinity Christian College closure seems like losing a formative part of her life. She cherished the personal relationships and spiritual growth it fostered. “It’s okay to reminisce,” she said. “Those places hold our memories.”