Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, announced it will close at the end of the academic year after trustees and the sponsoring Sisters of St. Francis pointed to declining enrollment and mounting financial pressures. The governing board appointed Nancy Linenkugel as the final president to steward the teach‑out and closure process. The university reported a substantial drop in headcount and operating deficits; nearby institutions have agreed to teach‑out arrangements and transfer pathways for affected students. Lourdes’ experience reflects the broader wave of small private college closures driven by demographic shifts and fiscal strain across mission‑driven institutions. Boards and presidents should prioritize transparent teach‑out planning, faculty and staff transition support, and stewardship of restricted endowments to preserve institutional legacies while minimizing student disruption.