Posted by Dave Dykema - email
SYLVANIA, OH (WTOL) - It became official at 4:00 p.m. Friday in a ceremony at the Franciscan Center Theater.
Lourdes College is now Lourdes University.
"I love the people. I love the campus. I can't tell you what I don't love," student Sarah Bohland said.
Founded in 1958, Lourdes has always been known for its personalized education.
Just under 3,000 students are enrolled. The average class size is no more than 40.
"The whole transition. How nice everyone is to us. How caring our professors are. Great community, great environment. I love being part of it" says student Shalyla Soliday.
So why become a university? Lourdes has changed in recent years.
The school started out appealing to the older, non-traditional student. Now half of those who enroll come straight out of high school.
Lourdes has added graduate degree programs, athletic programs and residence halls for students at a former apartment complex.
"As we were developing, they were finding us. They wanted to be part of the value centered education we have. And the residence halls allows us to expand that even more," Lourdes University President Dr. Robert Helmer said.
The Ohio Learning Commission makes the determination of what criteria define a university.
Qualifications include academic excellence, growth, aspirations and something the Commission calls "having your act together."
"You just can't grow and add programs. You have to have a sense of purpose, mission and where you're going, what you're doing and how it pulls together," Sylvia Manning of the Commission said.
While the name may change, Lourdes officials say its mission of providing an intimate education experience will remain the same.
