Bluffton University President Jane Wood speaks to students about the school’s anticipated merger with the University of Findlay.
BLUFFTON — The anticipated merger of the University of Findlay and Bluffton University could take longer than initially expected.
The private Christian universities, located 17 miles apart, announced their intent to merge this past spring as fewer high school students are pursuing higher education.
University officials initially expected the schools to be fully merged by the start of the fall 2025 semester, but now do not expect a response from the Higher Learning Commission until December 2025, according to an update published earlier this month on the Findlay-Bluffton merger website.
If the Higher Learning Commission approves the application, the University of Findlay will assume organizational control of the Bluffton campus, with additional regulatory approvals needed to finalize the merger, according to the website.
A transition team comprised of leaders from both universities will begin work this month.
University of Findlay President Katherine Fell and Bluffton President Jane Wood discussed their intentions for the merger during a student convocation Tuesday on the Bluffton campus, which will retain its name, athletic teams and church affiliation when the merger is complete.
College campuses across the U.S. are closing or merging at an accelerating pace, averaging one closure or merger per week as fewer high school students enroll in college, Wood said.
“We don’t like it,” she said of the trend. “We certainly don’t want it to happen in our area; coming together strengthens both institutions so we don’t see that (closure) happening.”
Rather than compete with the nearby University of Findlay by duplicating its programs, Wood said merging the schools allows the campuses to collaborate and create cross pathways in which students have access to classes at either campus.
