Lake Erie College to become institution of record, host alumni community | for Notre Dame College

Notre Dame College announced today that it has entered into a partnership agreement with Lake Erie College and that Lake Erie will become its institution of record. Notre Dame, a private Roman Catholic college in South Euclid, announced its permanent closure at the end of this semester. The institution opened as a women's college in 1922, then became co-educational in 2001.

As part of the agreement, Lake Erie College will house Notre Dame's organizational records, including transcripts, alumni records, the Athletic Hall of Fame, and other important historic documents. Additionally, Lake Erie College will work with the Notre Dame College alumni community to help them preserve their institutional legacy. Lake Erie will create spaces on its campus specifically reserved for Notre Dame memorabilia and will display its Athletic Hall of Fame in the Jerome T. Osborne Family Athletic and Wellness Center.

Notre Dame’s alumni community will be hosted by Lake Erie, and they will be encouraged to visit Lake Erie’s campus to page through yearbooks, or to participate in Notre Dame-specific and blended alumni events. Notre Dame alumni and friends will have representation on various boards at Lake Erie College, including the National Alumni Board and the Board of Directors.

“We are thankful to Lake Erie College for serving in this important capacity for Notre Dame College alumni,” shared Dr. John J. Smetanka, Notre Dame College interim president, provost, and dean of the faculty. “Although many of Notre Dame’s historic papers and archival information will be housed with the Sisters of Notre Dame in Chardon, OH, we wanted to ensure that all alumni would have easy access to their transcripts and a way to continue to be in community with one another in perpetuity. Lake Erie College answered that call.”

Lake Erie College President Jennifer N. Schuller stated, “Lake Erie is honored to provide a home for Notre Dame alumni and to serve their alma mater in this way. Notre Dame and Lake Erie have shared values, educational philosophies, and storied histories. This is a natural partnership. We look forward to serving the Notre Dame community for many years to come.”

Notre Dame College alumni who need transcripts or records are encouraged to contact Lake Erie College's Registrar at registrar@lec.eduregistrar@lec.edu.