Weimar Institute of Health & Education Board Votes to Close

[Stan]

January 28, 2008

Weimar Institute of Health & Education Board Votes to Close College

After 30 years of training Seventh-day Adventist youth and young adults for lives of consecrated ministry, the Board of Directors of Weimar Institute of Health & Education voted to close the college program as of June 20, 2008. Taking fiscal responsibility, the difficult decision came after seeking various financial and ministries solutions for several years.

“We are not abandoning our goals for the educational aspect of our program. We are going to keep that an essential part of our mission. We have to get down to bedrock and develop a solid financial foundation. We must rebuild from the ground up,” says Bob Hancock, acting Chief Operating Officer and Board Chairman.

The successful NEWSTART® program will continue as the Institute builds on its strengths. The eight-step, 18-day health recovery program helps prevent and reverse disease and is known nationally and globally.

Weimar Institute of Health & Education opened its doors in 1978 with a mission to serve the needs of others in health improvement and quality education. The academic curriculum of the College includes practical training and experience. The College grew steadily until the early 90s, training hundreds of young adults for active ministry. Recent years have seen a steadily decreasing enrollment due to changing economics and student goals.

“The Board recognizes the challenges facing Weimar Institute and the need to take decisive, concerted action. There remains potential at Weimar for future training programs in various healing arts, foreign missions and evangelism,” says Michael Orlich, M.D., acting Academic Dean.

The Board also voted to form a taskforce of business, finance and strategic planning experts to advise the Board in developing a sound, long-range plan that is consistent with its unique mission and philosophy.

The Institute’s leaders and dedicated staff are grateful for the many supporters who have prayed for Weimar through the years. They solicit your continued prayers for this new journey Source

[Peace]

That is really sad.

[beekind]

Wow I live right near there and did not know. What about the Academy there? What will happen to the land?

[Stan]

Last I had heard, they were taken over by Amazing Facts, and then they pulled out of that one as well.

[Mom E]

From what I've understood, the rest of the campus will continue as it has been - the Academy and NEWSTART programs will continue. The college has been struggling for quite a few years to remain a viable program. The board has finally decided to close, with the idea of possibly "regrouping" and doing something similar (or different?) sometime in the future.

[LynnDel]

It sounds like it was a wise decision. For a long time the expenses of the college have made it difficult to pursue desired improvements in the health outreach aspects of their mission, and the declining enrollment had to be the deciding factor.

Did the health program and college start simultaneously back in 1978, or did one precede the other by a few years?