We were deeply saddened to learn that Sweet Briar College in Virginia will close at the conclusion of the current academic year. Our hearts go out to their faculty, staff, students, parents, and alumnae.

This is a time for us to come together and help to alleviate their troubles in any way that we can. We are in the process of reaching out to President James F. Jones Jr. and the Sweet Briar College administration to offer our assistance in terms of placing their students, faculty, and staff. Our Admissions Office will guide all newly accepted and currently enrolled Sweet Briar students through expedited regular and transfer admissions processes, respectively. We encourage all eligible Sweet Briar students to apply for one of our generous “Sisters in Spirit” scholarships. Interested students may learn more at our Sweet Briar College Students page or by contacting Jennifer Kiger Chapman, director of transfer recruitment, jennifer.chapman@salem.edu, 336-917-5570. We also invite Sweet Briar students to visit our beautiful campus.

This sad news is an important reminder of how blessed we are to be in a college that has record-breaking enrollments, a strong endowment, a $60M campaign that has almost reached the halfway mark, new construction, and increased financial support from alumnae and other friends. It is also an important reminder of the deep gratitude that we owe to our alumnae and other friends, whose devotion has sustained our beloved institution since 1772, and of the importance of continuing this support by way of both financial gifts and referrals of prospective students. These strengths will ensure the realization of our vision for Salem's future.

Despite the closing of one of our sister colleges, we are confident of the continuing benefits of single-sex education, as is evidenced by numerous studies and by the notable achievements of our students and our alumnae. 

It is our hope that in the coming days the community of Sweet Briar College will find comfort in the sisterhood of women’s colleges. Indeed, in that spirit of sisterhood, a Salem College alumna and donor very generously offered to pay the application fees for any Sweet Briar student applying to Salem to continue her education in a single-sex institution. We are most appreciative of this very kind offer. We have, however, decided to waive all application fees for Sweet Briar students.

We will hold fast to the legacy that has sustained Salem for nearly 250 years and that will carry her boldly and confidently into the future.

Yours ever for Salem ever,

D. E. Lorraine Sterritt
President