Siena Heights Closing: What’s Next for Catholic Education in Michigan?

Adrian’s Siena Heights University is set to close its doors at the end of the next academic year, marking a significant change for Catholic higher education in Michigan. For students and families in metro Detroit and beyond, this news raises questions about remaining options and the future of faith-based learning in the state.

Understanding the Siena Heights Closure

Founded in 1919 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters as St. Joseph College for women, Siena Heights University, later named after St. Catherine of Siena, evolved into a co-educational institution in 1969. Despite its long history and a student body of approximately 2,300 in the 2023-24 school year, the small liberal arts college is facing financial challenges that led to its impending closure, as announced by President Douglas Palmer on June 30.

Palmer’s statement reflected on the university’s 105-year legacy: “For 105 Years, Siena Heights University has been a beacon of light in a world sometimes cast in darkness. The spirit of Siena Heights will continue long after the institution itself closes its doors because it lives in every graduate, faculty member, and staff person who has been on campus – whether in-person or online.”

Michigan’s Remaining Catholic Colleges and Universities

With Siena Heights closing, Michigan will still be home to three other esteemed Catholic institutions offering diverse academic programs rooted in Roman Catholic philosophy. These include Madonna University in Livonia, the University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, and Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.

Madonna University: A Metro Detroit Gem

Located in Livonia with additional campuses in Southfield and Macomb, Madonna University provides a comprehensive Catholic education. Founded in 1937 as Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Junior College by the Felician Sisters, it now offers over 100 career-focused majors, including more than 60 bachelor’s, 70 certificates, and 30 master’s and doctoral programs.

The university serves approximately 2,040 undergraduate and 404 graduate students. Full-time undergraduate tuition is listed at $27,360 for 24-36 credits, with nursing and room/board as additional costs. Madonna University is known for its Crusaders athletics, competing in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, Mid-States Football Association, and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The Felician Sisters, who operate the university, were founded in Poland in 1855 by Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, inspired by Franciscan spirituality.

University of Detroit Mercy: Historic and Diverse

Michigan’s oldest Catholic university, the University of Detroit Mercy, has a rich history stemming from the 1877 founding of Detroit College by the Jesuits. It later merged with Mercy College, established in 1941 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy. This merger in 1990 created the vibrant institution we know today, boasting a main campus in Detroit and additional sites in Novi, Corktown, and Macomb.

Detroit Mercy offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs to its approximately 5,600 students. Tuition rates vary by program but typically fall in the $30,000 range, with some programs like engineering and architecture potentially reaching up to $58,000 for in-state students living off-campus. The Titans compete in the NCAA, Horizon League, Mid-American Conference, and Atlantic Sun Conference.

The Jesuits (Society of Jesus), co-founders of UDM, are a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius Loyola, known for their vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and worldwide mission set by the pope. The Sisters of Mercy, founded in 1831 by Catherine McAuley, are an international community of Catholic women dedicated to service, also taking vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and service.

Aquinas College: West Michigan’s Liberal Arts Hub

In Grand Rapids, Aquinas College stands as a liberal arts institution founded in 1886 by the Dominican Sisters. Named after the 13th-century saint Thomas Aquinas, the college provides over 100 majors and minors to its more than 1,100 full-time undergraduate and graduate students.

Traditional undergraduate tuition for 12-20 credit hours is $41,192. As members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference, their athletic teams are known as the Saints.

The Dominican Sisters trace their origins to Dominic de Guzman in 13th-century France. The Grand Rapids community was established when Sisters from New York arrived in Traverse City in 1877 and later were invited to Grand Rapids in 1889 to administer a home for orphans and children in need.

Comparing Michigan’s Catholic Universities

Here’s a quick look at the key details of Michigan’s three remaining Catholic universities:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What led to Siena Heights University’s closure?
  Siena Heights University is closing due to financial challenges facing many small liberal arts colleges.
• How many Catholic universities will remain open in Michigan after Siena Heights closes?
  Three Catholic universities will remain open in Michigan: Madonna University, University of Detroit Mercy, and Aquinas College.
• Are these universities still affiliated with their founding religious orders?
  Yes, all three remaining universities maintain strong ties to their founding religious orders, which guide their missions and educational philosophies.
• What types of programs do these institutions offer?
  These universities offer a wide range of academic programs, including numerous bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across various fields, often with a career-focused or liberal arts emphasis.

For students impacted by the Siena Heights closure or those considering a faith-based education, Michigan still offers robust options through Madonna University, the University of Detroit Mercy, and Aquinas College, each providing a unique academic environment guided by Catholic traditions.

Siena Heights University Closing Michigan Catholic School