Pillsbury Baptist Bible College to close on Owatonna

OWATONNA — The Pillsbury Baptist Bible College Board of Trustees announced Wednesday that the college will cease academic activities and close on Dec. 31.

Citing national economic conditions coupled with school deficits caused by declining enrollment, school spokesman Tom Lawson said Wednesday that Pillsbury had exhausted its financial reserves, leaving the college without the funds to complete the school year.

Lawson added that efforts are being made to assist every student in transferring to sister colleges, along with faculty and staff with the transition.

After it closes, the campus will be sold by it owner, the Minnesota Baptist Association, to meet financial obligations.

For a complete story, read Thursday’s edition of the Owatonna People’s Press.

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Member Opinions: By: NoteTaker on 10/22/08 Hmmm...now THAT'S a news story. By: Rosie on 10/22/08 How very sad!!! By: NoteTaker on 10/22/08 Whatever one might think of Pillsbury, it's closing marks the end of an era and truly is a loss for our area. It will be quite interesting to see to whom the campus is sold and what eventually rises out of these ashes. (I'm sure there are not just a few entities whose wheels are already turning....) By: 4thekids on 10/22/08 Pillsbury always represented what Owatonna was all about. It was a class act and you never had any problems with their students and staff. They will be missed. By: Common-Joe on 10/22/08 It sure would make a nice setting for a new High School/ Public Education Complex. By: NoteTaker on 10/22/08 Gameshow Announcer: "Dr. Tom Tapper ... commmmeeeeeeeeeeee on down!!!! You're the next contestant on "The Price is Right!" Gameshow Host: "Welcome, Dr. Tom Tapper. Let's see what's up next for our contestants!" Gameshow Announcer: "It's a former college campus! That's right, contestants. This campus, formerly in use by Pillsbury Baptist Bible College occupies an entire city block and is just a short walk from beautiful downtown Owatonna. The campus offers an attractive blend of twelve historic and modern buildings on 14.2 acres. Four buildings are listed on the National Register of Historical Places." Gameshow Host: "Ok contestants. Dr. Tapper, what's your bid? 'Well, seeing as we really need a new High School and since our screw-the-taxpayers deal with St. Mary's fell through, this is a "must have" deal, I'd say....'" Gameshow Host: "Dr. Tapper...your bid, please...." Dr. Tapper: "Ok...I'll bid (taking cues from Dr. Wallace and other School Board members) ...$237,000,000!!!!! Woohooooo!!!! (That'll learn those derned taxpayers!)" By: coloradokid on 10/22/08 hee-hee, notetaker, I love it By: Gordan on 10/22/08 How sad. By: coloradokid on 10/22/08 I agree Malexm-sad for PBBC to have to close-they were an asset to Owatonna. They trained many folks throughout the years and brought many people to Owatonna-from other countries and probably all 50 states. By: Really on 10/22/08 Might be a good opportunity for the Owatonna School district though. By: pookah on 10/22/08 Good opportunity to start a new college... By: Jori on 10/23/08 I am saddened that Pilsbury is closing. Given the situation presented, I think it would be a great opportunity for the school district for its facility and space needs or for the city to consider a community center youth center concept....Just seems like the ideal location. Best of luck to the students and staff at the college, this must be a very difficult time. By: sarah on 10/23/08 It's a death to the Minnesota Baptist Assocition. By: Rosie on 10/23/08 It is so sad, but I am hoping that (like poohkah) maybe a college will look at that location to start a college. They have the dorms, close proximity to high school to encourage post secondary classes for HS students and across the street to serve as a mentoring system for elementary students! What great opportunities for all students...just need someone with a vision and of course, MONEY!! So glad I remember how to spell that word!! LOL By: FunInTheSon on 10/23/08 The closing of PBBC is sad for the history that the school has with the town of Owatonna. To say that it hasn't had a positive impact on this community would be in error, no matter what your personal religious beliefs are. The place it has maintained here for over half a century will be missed indeed! As for purchasing the campus for OHS use, I truly hope that Owatonnans are smarter than that. The campus is in terrible disrepair, not to mention that the purchase price is sure to be well over $2 million. Who will pay for all of this? You, me and our tax dollars - that's who! Alternately, I would like to propose a branch of U of M or another state college/university take it over. It would benefit the economy in Owatonna by creating more jobs and by bringing more young people here to settle down and raise families. They will bring in business and energy. By: Rosie on 10/23/08 I agree, Fun!! I like your name!! By: NoteTaker on 10/23/08 Perhaps St. Mary's could make use of the facilities; maybe even the Recovery School. It is true, as "FunInTheSon" mentioned, that some of the buildings are not only "old" but also in need of some major repair. No doubt those things will be detailed to prospective buyers. Pillsbury Hall, being the newest of the buildings there, may work well as an "add-on" type of building for a school and be in "move in" condition. I would think that Pillsbury would get pretty decent money for the entire campus, even given the age of some of the buildings. By: RealityCheck on 10/23/08 Again, with great respect and sorrow for the loss for Baptist students and faculty, please understand that I feel your pain. It cannot be easy. On the subject of future use, there is little doubt in my mind that some of the buildings are more expensive to maintain than they are worth, however, with the cost of new construction catching up with the cost of renovation, and an increasingly re-use, and recycle public mentality (a positive thing), it would be very wise for Owatonna Public, St. Mary's, and even the community college system to take a good look at the space. Its not big enough for a U branch or State U, but there are certainly possibilities. At the very least a growing community can use apartment/dorm spaces, even with the college closing. With mortgage foreclosures high, apartment demand is high. By: coloradokid on 10/23/08 thanks reality for your sympathy!! Have a GREAT night!! :) By: sarah on 10/23/08 It's going be a big change in town. By: AZkid on 10/24/08 maybe I should return those old leather football helmets Rick W. & I boosted in "65"! many fond memories growing up next door. By: DrMLWilliams on 10/27/08 It is a sad testimony to our times to see PBBC close. As a former MBA Pastor from 2003-2006 who now holds a Doctorate in Christian Education and had a Christian School while there, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Dr. Crane discussing enrollment and the cost of a Bible college education. There are many forces at work against Christian Colleges in general. 1) At least half the Pastors (and the numbers are higher now) do not see any need for Christian Education as it relates to Christian Day Schools and Colleges. 2) Accreditation, the Holy Grail of secularism, has turned away many "Christian" students from non-accredited Bible Colleges or forced them to pay much higher tuition to go to a school that is accredited because of the government requirements to be accredited. 3)Many "Christian" parents see nothing wrong with sending their children to heathen governmment run schools for their education at ALL levels. I personally had 6 years of college in some of the nation's best heathen schools before I attended a Christian Bible College and Seminary and I can tell you, the differences in what was taught was as different as dark and light (literally). I believe this issue is impacting our nation so much that I wrote a book about it entitled- "Silenced in the Schoolhouse: How Biblical illiteracy in our schools is destroying America". My findings and causes of our nations ills makes me pray more fervantly, "Come Lord Jesus!" By: O.Tool on 10/28/08 Kinda bitter, aren't you Doc?
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