By Angela Hatton / Associated Press
Jackson, TN – Officials of Lambuth University have decided to close the school. The United Methodist Church-affiliated private university will close its doors June 30. The Jackson Sun reports Lambuth has struggled financially for years and was appealing a loss of accreditation, which would mean students there couldn't obtain federal student loans. University President Bill Seymour calls it a heart-breaking decision to close the school, which was opened in 1843. Seymour says all efforts are now focused on graduating about 90 students eligible to receive an accredited degree by July. University officials want to keep a college on the campus, but the state says Lambuth's debts would have to be paid off first. Officials are working to establish agreements with four other colleges that would allow undergraduates who wanted to transfer to keep their full credits and pay equivalent tuition costs.