Dana College Board of Regents announced in late June that the college, one of 27 of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American (ELCA), is closing. The Board of Regents sought to change control of Dana to a for-profit institution in response to the college’s financial instability. Dana College’s accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), denied this application for change of control. You can learn more from this ELCA press release or by visiting Dana College’s website.
Changes in a charity’s status can happen suddenly. This serves as a good reminder on the importance of periodically reviewing long-term giving plans to ensure that they benefit qualified organizations and reflect your current interests.
From Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
“Dennis Gethmann, Dana College board chair, Maple Plain, Minn., reported that the college's board of regents met June 30 to consider the future of Dana College in light of the HLC [Higher Learning Commission] decision.
‘We are devastated that despite meeting all requests and assiduously working to meet all requirements, the HLC decision does not allow for Dana’s continuing operation. Nebraska political and public figures were supportive of the proposed change. We are committed to providing assistance to our students, faculty and staff in the coming days,’ Gethmann said.”
Full Article: “ELCA’s Dana College to Close, Board of Regents Announces”