March 29, 2019 (UMNS) -- Hiwassee College, a United Methodist-related college founded in 1849 to educate first-generation college students in rural Appalachia, is closing May 10 for financial reasons.
The college’s board of trustees voted this week to close the Madisonville, Tennessee, school at the end of this spring semester. Hiwassee College is the second United Methodist-related school to announce closure this year. Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, announced in January that it would close some time after the 2019 spring semester, also due to financial issues.
A news release issued by Hiwassee noted the school was “proud of our historic mission of educating students for 170 years in the United Methodist tradition of John Wesley.”
Many Hiwassee alumni pursued additional education to become “pastors in several conferences as well as other denominations, teachers in our schools, pharmacists in the region and community leaders across the nation. Hiwassee College’s legacy will survive through those who attended the college and who continue to lead and serve,” the news release said.
March 29
Tennessee Wesleyan president sends message of support
April 2
East Tenn. colleges offer help to Hiwassee students (WATE)
April 3
New doors opening for Hiwassee students (Citizen Tribune)