Other small colleges in the Philadelphia region are disappearing, but Eastern University in Radnor remains strong as it celebrates 100 years, writes Kim Douglas for Main Line Today.
Cabrini College closed after its 2023-24 academic year, while Rosemont College merged with Villanova University.
At Eastern University, things look good, thanks in large part to its provost Kenton Sparks, who understands the need to innovate.
He came to Eastern in 2017 to head academic affairs, student development, and enrollment management.
Enrollment then was 2,200. Today, it’s at 9,000.
Sparks has combined idealistic teaching with pragmatism at the university.
“As neighboring institutions close or come under pressure, they’re more open to innovation,” he said. “It becomes intuitively, if not explicitly, obvious when ‘what we’re doing now’ isn’t sustainable.”
He made Eastern affordable and flexible for students by offering self-paced online LifeFlex bachelor’s degrees, costing as little as $2,500 to $7,500 annually, compared to a traditional $50,000 a year in tuition, fees, and room and board.
The changes have grown the campus, with a $23 million strategic plan nearing its $30 million goal, and Eastern can now offer 25 athletic options, including men’s football, volleyball, baseball, and wrestling.
Read more about Eastern University’s successes in Main Line Today.
