Sangamon Sun

Lincoln College will close on May 13 after the college’s board of trustees voted to end its programs. Sen. Sally Turner (R-Lincoln) and Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) have offered support for students and staff. 

“We both have had close family and friends who attended and graduated from Lincoln College, so we know just how special Lincoln is to its students and alumni,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “For more than 150 years, the namesake college of our 16th President has served as a higher educational pillar for central Illinois. We promise to do everything within our power to help with the transition process for the students, faculty members, and staff impacted by the closure.”

The institution opened its doors to students 157 years ago.

The college statement read in part: 

“Lincoln College has survived many difficult and challenging times — the economic crisis of 1887, a major campus fire in 1912, the Spanish flu of 1918, the Great Depression, World War II, the 2008 global financial crisis, and more, but this is different. Lincoln College needs help to survive.”

Illinois College officials said they are working with students in regards to transferring earned credits.

“We know that this is an important time for Lincoln College students as they consider where to continue their academic career, and we want students to feel welcome at IC,” Evan Wilson, the associate vice president of Enrollment Management, said, according to Central Illinois Proud. “We will ensure Lincoln students who choose IC will have a smooth transfer process, so they can continue their education uninterrupted and go on to do the amazing things they plan to do after graduation.”

Heart of Illinois ABC said that students are not giving up hope. They are launching a social media campaign to “Save Illinois College,” including a Facebook group to share memories, organize, and spread the word.

Many students said the closure was surprising.

“I am a student from Poland and my visa is expiring in May and it’s very possible that I will not be able to come back to the United States,” sophomore Claudia Blaszccyk said to ABC.