Marian University in Fond du Lac will be acquired by a Catholic college in Pennsylvania

The familiar bell tower of Marian University in Fond du Lac, a fixture of the city’s skyline for nearly a century, will soon operate under new leadership. Marian University, a private Catholic college founded by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, will be acquired by Alvernia University, a private Catholic school based in Reading, Pennsylvania. This move, announced Monday by both institutions, marks a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering the future of higher education in both states and is still subject to approvals from the U.S. Department of Education and the Catholic Church in Rome, marking a significant shift for the institution and its community.

What Happened

Alvernia University President Glynis Fitzgerald and Marian University President Aaron Sadoff announced the acquisition, which will see the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes “gift” Marian University to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, who founded Alvernia. Under the agreement, Alvernia will operate both universities, renaming Marian University as Alvernia University Marian Campus. The transition is expected to take two years and will see Alvernia taking on significant financial risk to ensure the continued success of the combined entity. Marian University currently enrolls roughly 1,200 students, while Alvernia serves approximately 3,000 students and hopes to grow to around 4,000 through the acquisition.

“This is about two groups getting together,” Sadoff said, “and saying, ‘How can we pool our resources together and move forward?’” The move is part of a broader trend in higher education, where institutions are exploring new partnerships to navigate demographic challenges. As birth rates decline, colleges are competing for a shrinking pool of students. Fitzgerald explained that the Sisters of St. Agnes began reevaluating Marian’s future three years ago, while Alvernia was actively seeking to expand its enrollment and explore potential campus acquisitions. “Marian came up very, very high on that list,” she said. “Coming together came very naturally. And the overlap in mission between our two institutions is nearly 100 percent, so it made it very easy.”

Alvernia’s Perspective

According to Fitzgerald, this acquisition represents a “great opportunity” to grow and flourish. Alvernia’s financial stability was a key factor in the decision. Sadoff emphasized the importance of preserving Marian’s identity and Catholic mission, stating that Alvernia shares the same commitment to the community. He said the Sisters of St. Agnes had been looking for a qualified organization that “had capacity to lead” the university into the future. “We both want the same thing,” he said. “That’s for our communities to flourish, for our communities to grow to be known as college towns and, really, for our students and the people that come here to make the world better.”

Community Reaction

The news has generated mixed reactions from the local community. Some Marian students expressed surprise and uncertainty about the changes, while others were hopeful that the merger could bring new opportunities and resources to the campus. “It was kind of shocking to me that they kind of just transitioned to this other organization,” one student stated, while another added, “Change Isn’t always a bad thing.” The NBC 26 report highlighted the uncertainty among students, with one expressing hope for new majors and opportunities.

Sadoff acknowledged that the transition could be challenging but assured that there would be no immediate layoffs, and current contracts for employees would be honored. “Our commitment is that everyone on the Marian payroll on the last day that Marian is Marian University will be on the Alvernia University payroll the very next day,” he said, adding that any cost savings would be achieved through technology and third-party services rather than layoffs. The goal is to ensure existing staff remain “doing good work” in Fond du Lac.

What's Next

Once completed, Fitzgerald said the acquisition could also offer more opportunities to students in both Wisconsin and Pennsylvania through online courses, allowing the schools to share faculty remotely. “We can also imagine our students that might start in a program here (in Fond du Lac) and finish at a campus in Reading, or come from Reading here, in order to do their internships and their clinical experiences,” she said. The process will involve several steps, including approvals from accrediting bodies and regulatory authorities.

Financial Stability

While the acquisition isn’t a traditional sale—Marian is being gifted rather than sold—Alvernia is taking on a significant financial responsibility. Sadoff acknowledged this risk, emphasizing Alvernia's commitment to preserving Marian University for future generations and ensuring its continued success as a vital community resource. Fitzgerald said university leaders plan to look for savings primarily through technology and third-party services, saying they may be able to get better pricing as one bigger institution than as two smaller schools.

Marcus's Take

The acquisition of Marian University by Alvernia University is a stark reminder of the challenges facing higher education today. Declining enrollment, rising costs, and shifting student demographics are forcing institutions to rethink their models for survival. While change can be unsettling, this partnership offers a glimmer of hope—a chance to pool resources, preserve a beloved institution, and ensure that future generations have access to a quality Catholic education rooted in the values of faith and community. It's encouraging to see two organizations prioritizing stability over short-term gains, recognizing the long-term importance of strong institutions in fostering vibrant communities.

The commitment to retaining existing employees is particularly noteworthy, demonstrating a respect for the dedicated individuals who have contributed to Marian's success. The success of this transition will depend on maintaining that commitment and preserving the unique character of Marian University for years to come. The announcement comes as universities and colleges across the state have announced new partnerships and in the wake of closures to two-year branch campuses in the state’s public university system, including the campus in Fond du Lac.

Resources

For more information about Alvernia University, visit www.alvernia.edu. To learn more about Marian University, visit Marian University. Information about the Wisconsin System can be found at www.wisconsin.edu and details on the Sisters of St. Agnes are available at Sisters of St. Agnes. Further information regarding the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters can be found at Bernardine Franciscan Sisters.

It’s a moment to consider the importance of institutions that champion traditional values—faith, family, and community—in an increasingly fragmented world. The commitment to retaining employees and honoring existing contracts reflects a respect for those who have invested in Marian’s mission. As this transition unfolds, it will be vital to ensure that the new partnership remains committed to serving the families of Fond du Lac and upholding the values that have made Marian University a cornerstone of this community.