This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for May 4, 2026

This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for May 4, 2026

From This Week In College Viability (TWICV) by Gary Stocker

May 4, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 214

About this episode

This episode discusses unexpected moments in college viability, highlighting financial challenges faced by institutions.

This week’s show starts somewhere you wouldn’t expect a college viability conversation to begin… a softball field. A routine game. A swarm of honeybees. And a moment that turned into one of those unforgettable college experiences that gets shared, liked, and remembered. Here’s the clip from Lindenwood University softball—and at first glance, it’s everything families think college is supposed to be. ( https://x.com/lindenwoodsb/status/2050360836225482921?s=58&t=RRp3EfLfsCOV4T1DFy_2zw ) Fun. Memorable. A little unpredictable. But as we move from that moment into the rest of this week’s stories, the tone shifts. Because while everyone can see the honeybees on the field, almost no one sees the financial pressures behind the scenes. This week, we’re digging into: Saint Augustine’s University declaring bankruptcy—but insisting it won’t close Hampshire College looking to sell land to cover a $25 million debt A looming 32% drop in high school graduates in Illinois—while lawmakers still push for more funding A “shot-in-the-dark” strategy unfolding at Naropa University And a blunt critique from inside Hampshire: Cowardice and the Closing of Hampshire College Show Notes and links: UNT…

People in this episode

Host: Gary Stocker

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Saint Augustine’s University, Hampshire College, Naropa University

Places: Illinois, Lindenwood University

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