Seattle University and Cornish College Announce Intent to Join Institutions | 2024 | News & Stories

Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts are pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to join institutions, with Cornish eventually becoming Cornish College of the Arts of Seattle University and continuing to educate students at the South Lake Union campus. This plan, approved by the boards of trustees of both institutions, promises to enrich the experiences of students at both campuses through enhanced educational opportunities and interdisciplinary learning.

“Seattle University’s collaboration with Cornish will unite two long-established Seattle colleges into one,” said SU President Eduardo Peñalver. “It will create incredible new opportunities for our students to expand their educational horizons and for faculty to pursue innovative interdisciplinary collaborations. This is definitely a case of “one plus one equals three.”

Improved educational opportunities for students

Students at Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts will benefit greatly from this planned combination. Once completed, educational opportunities will expand at both campuses, including innovative interdisciplinary learning in areas such as computer science, business and fine arts.

This announcement comes just months after Seattle University announced the largest art donation to a university in the United States, a $300 million collection from Seattle philanthropist Richard Hedreen and an intention to build an art museum on campus. The expansion of arts education opportunities at Seattle University reflects Jesuits’ longstanding commitment to integrating the visual and performing arts into the educational experience. This new initiative leverages not only the geographical and academic proximity of the two institutions, but also their shared missions and values.

“Cornish and Seattle University share many values, including the utmost commitment to our students,” said Emily Parkhurst, interim president of Cornish College of the Arts. “We are excited at the prospect of collaborating with such a respected and mission-driven institution to provide a robust arts education in downtown Seattle and continue the mission of our founder, Nellie Cornish, who believed in education through exposure to all the arts.”

Next steps in the process

The path to a combination of the two institutions will involve several important steps that will take place over the next two years:

• While the two institutions are currently working toward a final definitive agreement, Seattle University will conduct a thorough due diligence review of Cornish’s finances, holdings and assets, operations, compliance and legal obligations.
• Once completed within the next few months, the definitive agreement will include customary terms and conditions to complete the transaction. If all conditions are met, Seattle University will acquire Cornish and become its controlling entity. In accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, the conditions to the closing of this transaction are expected to include, among other things, all necessary approvals from the appropriate higher education regulatory authorities of the State of Washington; a review and approval by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which accredits both institutions; and a review by the U.S. Department of Education.
• After Seattle University becomes the controlling entity of Cornish, which the parties expect to happen by the end of May 2025, the two institutions will begin a “transition period” in which Cornish will be controlled by Seattle University but retain its separate degree-granting authority , accreditation, and participation in federal student aid. During this transition period, which is expected to last approximately one year, the two institutions will also begin to integrate certain administrative support operations, to the extent permitted by applicable accreditation and regulatory requirements and as the parties may reach agreement.
• At the end of the transition period, and subject to further approvals from accreditation and regulatory authorities, the institutions will fully merge and Cornish would become Cornish College of the Arts of Seattle University.

A center of innovation and creativity

Located in a world-changing city known for its cultural and technological innovations, the proposed merger of Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts promises to not only further advance the region’s dynamic educational environment, but also help boost its economic and to meet the region’s cultural needs. Graduates are uniquely well-equipped to drive innovation and creativity. Through the distinctive educational experiences this combination enables, graduates of Seattle University and Cornish College of the Arts will continue to enrich the region’s vibrancy and capacity for growth and advancement.