Oak Point University, formerly Resurrection University, was a private university in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded on February 17, 1914, and had two colleges, a college of nursing and a college of health sciences, and offered undergraduate and graduate/professional programs in the health sciences with a significant focus on nursing. The university has over 5,600 university alumni. There were two campus locations, one in Wicker Park and one in Oak Brook. The university closed at the end of the spring 2024 semester on April 19, 2024.[1]

Oak Point University
Former names
West Suburban Hospital School for Nurses
West Suburban Hospital School of Nursing
Concordia-West Suburban College of Nursing
West Suburban College of Nursing
Resurrection University
TypePrivate university
Active1914 (1914)–April 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)
PresidentTherese A. Scanlan
Students914 (as of November 2017)
Undergraduates812 (as of November 2017)
Postgraduates102 (as of November 2017)
Location
Chicago
,
Illinois
,
U.S.

41°54′26″N 87°41′07″W / 41.907257°N 87.685302°W / 41.907257; -87.685302
Websiteoakpoint.edu

The university experienced a dramatic decline in enrollment since the pandemic. In fall 2022, it had 429 students, down from 860 in fall 2019, according to federal data.[2]

History

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West Suburban Hospital, 506 North Austin Ave. in 1922

In 1914, Oak Point University, originally named West Suburban Hospital School for Nurses was founded with the West Suburban Hospital that began serving the Oak Park community on February 11, 1914.[3] The school officially began on February 17, offering a diploma program. In 1925, a new building was completed for the school on the 7th floor of the medical center, providing students with classrooms, laboratories, dormitories, swimming pool, and a ballroom.[4]

In 1946, the West Suburban Hospital for Nurses entered into an affiliation with Wheaton College that lasted until 1982[5][6] In 1953, the name of the school was changed to West Suburban Hospital School of Nursing.

The university was recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in 1981, giving degree granting and operating authority to offer a nursing degree. The following year, the Baccalaureate Nursing Program established, including a generic and Registered Nurse completion option.

In 1985, the university entered into an affiliation with Concordia College (now Concordia University Chicago). Again, the name was changed to: Concordia-West Suburban College of Nursing.[7] In 2003, the affiliation with Concordia College ended and the name was revised to West Suburban College of Nursing.

In 2004, Resurrection Health Care purchased West Suburban Medical Center and the College of Nursing. West Suburban College of Nursing became a part of Resurrection Health Care.[8]

In 2008, the Higher Learning Commission approved the baccalaureate degrees of health informatics and health administration. That same year, the Master of Science in Nursing program became accredited at the university and the first class to graduate with the MSN degree occurred in 2009.

In 2010, West Suburban College of Nursing became Resurrection University with a College of Nursing and a College of Health Sciences.[9] The following year, Resurrection Health Care and Provena Health joined together to form Presence Health.[10]

In 2012, Resurrection University and Concordia University Chicago reestablish the nursing degree program partnership[11][12][13] and thee university moved to the campus of Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago.[14][15]

In 2014, the College of Nursing celebrated its 100-year anniversary.

2015: The Saint Francis School of Radiography (SFSOR), was merged with the university, which now offered a Bachelor of Science in Imaging Technology (B.S.I.T.) in the College of Health Sciences. The degree is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).[16]

2016: Dr. Therese Scanlan assumed the role of President for Resurrection University.[17]

2017: The university's Doctor of Nursing Practice program began in the fall semester.

2018: In March, the affiliation between Resurrection University and Presence Health ended, and Presence Legacy Association became a member of Resurrection University.

2021: Resurrection University became an independent university and changed its name to Oak Point University.

2021: Oak Point University added a second campus in Oak Brook, Illinois.

2021: The university added two new Master of Science in Nursing nurse practitioner/post-graduate certificate programs: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP) and Psychiatric-Mental Health (PMHNP).

2024: The university abruptly announced plans to close at the end of the spring 2024 semester on April 19, three weeks before the end of said semester. Lewis University will help Oak Point University students complete their degrees.[1]

Academics

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The university had two colleges: the College of Nursing and the College of Allied Health. It was institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Many programs were accredited by specific accreditation agencies, including:

References

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  1. ^ a b Koval, Andy (March 28, 2024). "'Completely devastated': Oak Point University abruptly closing". WGN-TV. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  2. ^ Post; Share; Post; Print; Email; License. "Healthcare-focused Oak Point University to close abruptly in April". Higher Ed Dive. Retrieved August 30, 2024. {{cite web}}: |last5= has generic name (help)
  3. ^ "Oak Leaves". Chicago Tribune. The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. September 16, 1922.
  4. ^ Humiston, Chas. E. (1924). Nosokoma: Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Four. The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest: West Suburban Hospital. p. 19.
  5. ^ "Bulletin of Wheaton College: Catalog Number 1961-1962" (PDF). Wheaton College. Wheaton College. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  6. ^ "Wheaton History A to Z: West Suburban College of Nursing". Wheaton College. Wheaton College. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  7. ^ Complete Book of Colleges, 2005 (2005 ed.). New York, NY: Random House : Princeton Review Pub. 2004. p. 221. ISBN 9780375764066.
  8. ^ "2008 Annual Hospital Questionnaire" (PDF). Illinois Department of Public Health. Illinois Department of Public Health, Health Systems Development. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  9. ^ "Statement of Accreditation Status". Higher Learning Commission. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  10. ^ Schorsch, Kristen (February 17, 2012). "Presence Health is new name of combined Provena-Resurrection". Chicago Business. Crain's.
  11. ^ "Concordia, Resurrection universities offer joint nursing degree program". Nurse.com. Nurse.com. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  12. ^ "Health Informatics and Information Management". Concordia University Chicago. Concordia University Chicago. July 22, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  13. ^ "Undergraduate Catalog 2017-2018" (PDF). Concordia University Chicago. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  14. ^ "Press Release: Mayor Emanuel Announces Reforms That Strengthen Accountability and Transparency of TIF Program". City of Chicago: Mayor Rahm Emanuel. City of Chicago. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  15. ^ Coorens, Elaine (February 3, 2013). "Resurrection University's move to Wicker Park brings excitement and opportunity". Our Urban Times. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  16. ^ "Presence Health: Saint Francis School of Radiography" (PDF). Presence Health Radiology. Presence Health. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
  17. ^ "Leadership Transitions". American Health Science Education Consortium – AHSEC News. Fall (5): 3. 2016.AHSEC-Newsletter-Fall-2016.pdf
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