International Partner Would Keep Westminster Choir College In Princeton, Rider Says

PRINCETON, NJ — Westminster Choir College looks like it will be keeping its Princeton Campus, Rider University officials announced this week. On Thursday, the university’s Board of Trustees selected an international partner that has proposed to acquire Westminster Choir College and maintain the campus in Princeton.

The university didn’t name the partner in a release issued Thursday night. The partner was selected from about 280 entities through its adviser, PwC Corporate Finance LLC. The sides will now enter into negotiations, and the university will do its due dilligence.

“As we have said throughout this process, our goal was to identify a partner that is best positioned to make the necessary investments in and build upon Westminster’s world-class curriculum and rich legacy in Princeton,” the university said in a statement. “The university remains encouraged by our strong progress to date, accomplished in accordance with our Guiding Principles, including the commitment to maintaining our existing programs, faculty and administration. Please know that much work still remains, and as this process moves forward, it’s critical that negotiations remain confidential between Rider and the selected potential partner. We appreciate your continued patience and promise to keep the university community informed as we move into the next phase of this important process.”

Rider University announced its intention to sell the campus in March. The decision came after the university initially said it was looking to close the campus and consolidate it with the campus in Lawrenceville to help with some of the university’s financial problems.

The Coalition to Save Westminster Choir College was formed shortly after university announced its plans for consolidation. It has since filed a lawsuit to prevent the university from selling either the college or the campus.

Patch file photo