FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - The University of Findlay and Bluffton University announcing their plan for a merger.
Presidents from both universities held a news conference on Wednesday, announcing that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to pursue a merger for Bluffton University operations with the University of Findlay. This would mean that the two campuses would be under one higher education community.
As of now, the universities will continue to run independently from one another, and if they reach NCAA approval, the schools also would continue to participate in their respective divisions as they are now - Findlay would remain the Oilers, and Bluffton would still be the Beavers.
The presidents of the schools say that they are heading into this merger on good financial ground.
"The University of Findlay is certainly stable and strong, and Bluffton University has reached a position of fiscal stability under President Woods' leadership," said University of Findlay president Dr. Katherine Fell. "I don’t see that we are facing any kind of drastic future without this, but I do believe that we will face off our brighter future together."
Both universities are also able to expand the classes and courses that they can offer through this merger.
"We have Nutrition and Dietetics as a master's degree program, which really helps supply hospitals, retirement homes, all kinds of places with masters-degreed dietitians and nutritionists, and we’re excited to welcome Findlay students there," said Bluffton University president Dr. Jane Wood. "Likewise, Findlay has many programs that we don’t have; for example, we don’t have physical therapy."
Awaiting all approvals, which the universities say could take 12 to 15 months, the merger is expected to be completed by the fall of 2025.
