DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The St. Norbert College Board of Trustees and the leader of St. Norbert Abbey released statements expressing support for college President Laurie Joyner, as the college copes with declining enrollment, budget cuts, and expected faculty layoffs.
The college has already made two rounds of layoffs in the wake of enrollment dropping by about 500 students in recent years. Now, it is in a process called “retrenchment,” in which it may cut academic programs and layoff faculty. The moves have drawn criticism from some student, parents, alumni and others.
In separate statements released Monday, Patti Brash McKeithan, president of the Board of Trustees, and Rt. Rev. Dane J. Radecki, O. Praem., the Abbot of St. Norbert Abbey, expressed their support for Joyner.
McKeithan said “decisive leadership” is needed.
As the governing body with fiduciary responsibility and a moral obligation to steward the mission and long-term success of St. Norbert College, the Board of Trustees reaffirms its unwavering support for President Laurie Joyner. We selected President Joyner because of her experience and integrity. She is mission-focused and recognized for her leadership and record of consistently exceeding goals and expectations. Her efforts are aligned with what the Board and Sponsor have directed, and we have full confidence in her.
She was also critical of some of the response to the college’s actions.
We share this endorsement in response to the orchestrated campaign aimed at diminishing President Joyner’s efforts and confidence in her leadership. These efforts are unjustified and deeply counterproductive at a time when our shared focus must be on securing the College’s best future. As a reminder, the challenges that “Preserving the St. Norbert Legacy: A Shared Promise of Stewardship” addresses were present and festering at St. Norbert College before the Board’s first interview with President Joyner. We stand firmly with President Joyner and her leadership team as they continue the difficult, but necessary, work of our College,” McKeithan wrote. “This is a call for cooperation and to turn away from the divisive actions and communication that have recently plagued us and are harming our beloved College. Perpetuating misinformation is unfortunate and amplifies the emotion and anxiety across constituent groups. This is dangerous in many ways and tragic as the College is working hard to provide students with the best learning experience possible while keeping SNC accessible and affordable.
She noted while this year’s budget is balanced, the college has a projected $7 million deficit for fiscal years 2026.
Abbot Radecki’s statement also expressed support for Joyner.
As Norbertines, we are called to be ‘prepared for every good work,’ even when that work is challenging, painful, and unpopular. We stand with President Joyner because she has chosen the good work – the hard work – of leading with integrity in the face of adversity. We believe in financially sustainable, academically vibrant future for St. Norbert College, and one rooted in faith and mission. Given the present challenges in higher education, such a strong future is only possible because of the hard decisions made today and the support and commitment of our St. Norbert community.
The academic leader on campus has not finalized her recommendations, which then would be sent to Joyner for review and action.
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