Marian University in Fond du Lac and Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania, announced plans Nov. 9 to combine under a shared Catholic mission.
Under the proposal, sponsorship of Marian would transfer from the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes to the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, who founded Alvernia. As part of that transition, Alvernia would acquire Marian.
Marian was founded by the Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes in 1936 and has served Fond du Lac and the surrounding region for 90 years. Leaders from both schools said the plan is intended to honor Marian's heritage and identity while expanding opportunities for students.
The proposed acquisition still needs further discussion and review, along with institutional, canonical, regulatory and accrediting approvals.
Both universities said they will continue to operate as they do today during the process, with no immediate changes to academic programs, employment, tuition, athletics, campus operations or the student experience.
