CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC/AP) – A West Ashley High School senior learned the private South Carolina Christian university was abruptly shutting down months before he expected to begin classes.
West Ashley Senior Jackson Welch was on a spring break trip with his father and grandfather, bonding over the passion that drew Jackson to Limestone University: golfing. While they were on the trip, they received a call from Jackson Welch’s mother about Limestone’s precarious future.
“It was kind of like a bucket list place to go and I didn’t even pretty much enjoy it for the rest of the day,” Jackson Welch said. “I was just trying to think about like, ‘What am I going to do now?’”
The 180-year-old university stunned its students, alumni and community when it announced earlier in April, without warning, that it was in such bad financial shape that without an immediate infusion of $6 million, it would have to close.
Just like that, Jackson Welch was back on the hunt for a college and one that would allow him to further his golfing career.
“I was kind of in a rush to just open my recruitment up and try to find somewhere to go,” he said.
They remained optimistic that the college would find funding to stay open.
“But the limbo couple of weeks. I kept getting texts from my son when they would get a new donation. He’s like, ‘Look, see there’s a new donation,’” Jackson Welch’s father, Justin Welch, said.
Limestone University officials said that after two weeks of furious fundraising and other actions, they collected just a little over $2 million. It wasn’t enough, and they said they had no choice but to close the Gaffney campus and online programs.
“We’ve always talked to them about looking at things like everything is meant for a reason,” Justin Welch said about his son’s news. “He’s 18. This is a tough pill to swallow. He wants to continue his golf career.”
But soon after, Spartanburg Methodist College accepted him.
“My mom wanted to do like a little signing for me, which I thought was really sweet,” he said.
The family hosted a family gathering on Sunday to celebrate the success and reflect.
“Like we say, everything happens for a reason,” Justin Welch said. “And what if this had been the end of his freshman year next year or two years in? Or what if he was a rising junior there going into senior year?”
Now he’ll get to continue his passion for golf, just on a new course.
“But I really just want to continue to play golf because that’s just like what I worked the past five or six years for,” Jackson Welch said.
The family said they are keeping all the students, staff and their families affected by the closure in their thoughts.
Jackson Welch will be starting the year with a friend. He is keeping his original planned roommate from Limestone. He also got accepted into the same golf program.
Limestone University held its final Commencement ceremony on Saturday. It was an emotional tribute to the Class of 2025. The University celebrated 446 graduates during the 2024-2025 academic year.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved.