Progress Update: July 9 2025

 Reflections Following the CBU/Lewis Town Hall (June 30, 2025)

Dear CBU Faculty and Staff,

Thank you for participating in the recent Town Hall. Your warm welcome meant a great deal to me and the Lewis University team. The meeting was an opportunity to share updates and hear your feedback on a proposed partnership that would preserve CBU’s name, mission, and Tennessee operations while integrating select services with Lewis University. 

This effort is a collaborative response to the challenges facing higher education, including enrollment, financial stability, and the evolving needs of students. As Brother Chris shared during the meeting, CBU stands at a pivotal crossroads. Despite the disruptions of recent years – from the COVID-19 pandemic to leadership transitions and declining enrollment – you have remained faithful to the Lasallian mission. Exploring this partnership is both a mission and a business decision, one that could be a win-win for the students and communities we are called to serve.

Your Input & Feedback

With cautious optimism, we heard strong support for expanding non-traditional student opportunities through flexible schedules, online and hybrid offerings, and new program formats while also strengthening campus life. Many of you discussed how shared resources can help us better serve diverse learners while maintaining the distinctive character of each institution. Questions around staffing, technology, and long-term planning also surfaced, along with a strong call for transparency and continued engagement throughout this process.

I want to clarify and address some concerns that arose during the Town Hall. Some have suggested that CBU may transition entirely to an online format. Please know that this is not the case. Our intent is not to replace in-person learning, but to enhance flexibility and access through thoughtful, balanced offerings. Lewis, for example, has invested significantly in digital and career-aligned programs in the arts, such as the Music Industry and Digital Media programs. We remain committed to preserving and evolving these opportunities in ways that are relevant and sustainable. Likewise, we support CBU’s athletics program, which is a vital part of campus life. Athletics will remain engaged in this process.

We recognize that there are still many questions and details to be addressed, and we understand that uncertainty can be uncomfortable. Both institutions are committed to moving forward with care and collaboration. Faculty and staff have direct access to both CBU and Lewis leadership, and your input will remain essential throughout this process.

To stay informed and engaged, you can:

• Participate in working groups and academic committees
• Attend upcoming community convocations
• Visit cbu.edu/about/lewis for updates
• Email questions or feedback to askus@lewisu.edu

If you missed the Town Hall or would like to revisit the content, the presentation, including proposed goals, a balanced approach, and a projected timeline, can be reviewed here.

Brother Chris and I are united in our commitment to your students, your mission, and your community. If finalized, this partnership could serve as a national model for revitalization in higher education. We are grateful for your engagement, and we look forward to continued conversations in the weeks and months ahead.

With gratitude,

Dr. David J. Livingston
President, Lewis University

This clip is an excerpt from the recent meeting presentation. For the full context, please refer to the presentation deck linked in this letter.