Wonderful column, Barry. The failure and closing of Iowa Wesleyan University should not be happening. It is too important to the economy and culture of Mount Pleasant and southeast Iowa. Its alumni, supporters and the State of Iowa need to think bigger about IWU and all our other colleges & universities -- private and public.
Thank you. I agree. I don’t think Iowa’s state government tried very hard to save it, and it should have. I hope the new owners of the campus - the USDA, which held the notes IWU defaulted on with the campus as collateral - is able to repurpose the facilities in a way that keeps some of that economic vitality going in Mt. Pleasant and the region.
As a native of Mt P though I no longer live there, the end of Wesleyan sickens me on so many levels.
What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing! The closest of IWU is a tragedy for the state and for Mount Pleasant. And is the first of others to come.
Thank you. The loss of IWU after 180+ years is so sad.
Wonderful column, Barry. The failure and closing of Iowa Wesleyan University should not be happening. It is too important to the economy and culture of Mount Pleasant and southeast Iowa. Its alumni, supporters and the State of Iowa need to think bigger about IWU and all our other colleges & universities -- private and public.
Thank you. I agree. I don’t think Iowa’s state government tried very hard to save it, and it should have. I hope the new owners of the campus - the USDA, which held the notes IWU defaulted on with the campus as collateral - is able to repurpose the facilities in a way that keeps some of that economic vitality going in Mt. Pleasant and the region.
And also keeps IWU’s amazing history alive,
Fascinating. Thank you, Barry.
Thank you, Mary Lou. I am glad you enjoyed reading it.