By Dave DeNatale, Neil Fischer
After months of speculation, Notre Dame College will be closing its doors at the end of this semester, ending a more than 100-year presence in South Euclid.
“We are all saddened by the need to make this decision, but rest assured that as we move forward, we are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth transition for our students to continue their education,” Notre Dame College Interim President John Smetanka said in a statement.
Last month, Cleveland State University officials confirmed to 3News that leaders from CSU and Notre Dame College met on several occasions last fall to discuss Cleveland State potentially absorbing the struggling Roman Catholic school. The story was first reported by Amy Morona of Signal Cleveland.
Reactions from students and staff
Lisa Mobley, a biology lab technician at the college, spoke with 3News shortly after she and other employees learned of the closure.
“It’s more painful than just, you know, I don’t have a paycheck,” she said. “At this point, it’s hard to leave this place.”
Over the years, Notre Dame has become known for being rich in athletics and bringing many student-athletes to South Euclid, including cheerleading transfer Sarah Walkuski. She said the moment she heard the news her emotions took over.
“I started crying, because I made a lot of new friends here,” Walkuski said. “And making new friends is kind of hard when you go to a new school.”
For others, like football players Joshua Williams and Carson Heidecker, Notre Dame College was their home away from home.
“My plan, eventually, is to go back home to Florida to strive for my goals,” Williams, who plays cornerback, told 3News.
“When you sign your letter of intent here, it’s like, ‘I want to graduate from Notre Dame College. I want a degree from here,'” said Heidecker, an offensive lineman from nearby Columbia Station. “All of our friends, we’ve kind of become like men and women here. And now kind of all [of] the sudden, we’ve got to go somewhere else.”
That connection also exists for faculty and staff.
“Most of the people who work here at the college have been here for a long time,” Mobley said. “They’re very committed to the students, they’re very committed to the college, and they’re very upset that it’s going to close.”
What about South Euclid?
“We sadly acknowledge the potential closure of this revered and historic institution that has been an integral part of our city’s identity for nearly 101 years,” Mayor Georgine Welo said in a statement. “Together, we will work to honor the legacy of Notre Dame College and keep South Euclid a great place to ‘Come Together & Thrive.'”
