Cabrini University Closing In 2024: Villanova Buying Campus

RADNOR, PA —Villanova Univerity has reached a tentative agreement to buy the Cabrini University campus, which will graduate its last class in June 2024, the presidents of both universities said in a joint statement provided to Patch.

Cabrini, a 112-acre campus, is about two miles from Villanova. Both universities are in Radnor Township.

The tentative agreement was reached between the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova University, and Helen Drinan, president of Cabrini.

Both presidents said once a definitive agreement has been reached, more information will be available.

“As neighboring Catholic institutions connected by our aligned, faith-based missions, the boards of Villanova and Cabrini universities have approved in principle an agreement that will preserve Cabrini’s history, mission, ministry, and legacy after the school graduates its final class in May 2024 and concludes operations,” the presidents wrote.

Key components of the agreement include:

• Cabrini will continue the 2023/24 academic year as planned for the incoming freshman, sophomore, and junior classes and see its class of 2024 through to graduation.
• Cabrini and Villanova will share counseling and resources to support Cabrini students throughout the academic year to develop individualized transfer plans, enabling them to complete their degrees as well as support Cabrini faculty and staff in identifying potential employment opportunities.
• Once Cabrini operations conclude, Villanova will assume ownership of the land.

• Villanova will preserve Cabrini University’s legacy, both in name and in the continuation of some of the institution’s most impactful work in education, nursing, service, immigration, and the advancement of women.

Cabrini was founded in 1957 by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was originally a college and became a university in 2016. It has an enrollment of 1,186 undergraduate students and 430 graduate students.

Villanova was founded in 1842 by the Order of St. Augustine. It has a 260-acre campus and has 6,700 students undergraduate and 3,100 graduate students.

Presidents react

Donahue said his thoughts and prayers are with the Cabrini community.

“Villanova University and Cabrini University have always shared a commitment to faith-based education,” Donahue said Friday. “The foundation was the impetus for an agreement with the two institutions.”
“United by our shared commitment to advancing Catholic education, Villanova and Cabrini have been working on a plan to share the Cabrini legacy."

Drinan, who has been president for a year, said fortunately Villanova has arrived at an agreement to preserve Cabrini’s legacy and promote opportunities for Catholic education.

“Villanova will sustain the Cabrini name," she said. "For 66 years, we have left an enduring mark on the community.”

Drinan said Cabrini plans to spend the next year celebrating all that the university stands for and helping students find a path to complete their education.