The following is a press release announced on April 4, 2025.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 4, 2025

Bryn Athyn College of the New Church and Albright College Announce Transfer Partnership for Student-Athletes

Bryn Athyn, Pa. (April 4, 2025)—Bryn Athyn College of the New Church (BAC) and Albright College have announced that BAC student-athletes who wish to be a part of a Division III sports program will be able to seamlessly transfer to Albright College starting in the Fall Semester of 2025 without any anticipated material impacts on costs or academic standing to the BAC student. This follows BAC's difficult and painful decision to end its participation in NCAA Division III and discontinue its club hockey team to allow it to address necessary financial restructuring.

"This partnership with Albright College represents our commitment to ensuring the best outcomes for our student-athletes, affording them choices to continue their collegiate athletic careers and complete their degrees without any significant effects on costs or academic standing," said Sean Connelly, President of Bryn Athyn College since Nov. 1, 2024. "While we hope all our student-athletes choose to finish strong and complete their degrees at BAC, we recognize the importance of athletics as a part of the college experience and the benefit to students of having this no-hurdle transition option."

Under the plan, BAC student-athletes may transfer to Albright College, with eligibility limited to Fall 2025. Students who choose this option will be admitted, full transfer of academic credits toward Albright degrees assuming a C- or better in each course, and a commitment that they will not pay tuition or fees higher than what they would have paid at BAC. Albright will match all scholarships and financial aid currently provided to students at Bryn Athyn.

"We are honored to welcome Bryn Athyn student-athletes into the Albright community," said Dr. Debra M. Townsley, President of Albright College. "Our institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, and we have worked diligently to create a transfer process that ensures these students can continue their education without interruption, additional costs, or loss of academic progress."

The transfer program includes several key benefits for BAC student-athletes:

  • Transfer of academic credits toward Albright degrees 
  • No increase in total cost of education, including room and board, beyond normal annual expected cost of living increases —Albright will match current scholarships and aid. 
  • Graduation timeline maintained 
  • Opportunity to compete in NCAA Division III athletics in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC)

Albright College sponsors 23 NCAA Division III teams, with notable overlap to BAC, in basketball, cross country, lacrosse, and soccer for both men and women, as well as women's volleyball —all of this provides further continuity for BAC student-athletes electing to transfer. 

The two institutions will work closely together to facilitate the transition, with presidents and staff from both colleges meeting to address administrative details and answer student questions. BAC and Albright have committed to a smooth transfer process, requiring minimal paperwork from students who elect to make the transition.

For more information on the Albright transfer option, info sessions for BAC students will be held by dedicated teams of academic and athletic advisors established to help students determine the best outcomes possible following President Connelly's March 26 Announcement on Financial Sustainability Measures.

About Bryn Athyn College of the New Church

Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a small college whose mission is to enhance students' civil, moral, and spiritual lives, contributing to human spiritual welfare through a liberal arts education rooted in New Church theology. Our emphasis is on educating the whole person—fostering critical thinking, clear communication, ethical decision-making, and overall well-being. The College's scenic campus is located just outside of center-city Philadelphia. 

About Albright College

Founded in 1856 and located in Reading, PA, Albright College is a diverse community of learners cultivating integrity, curiosity, connection and resilience. The college's flexible curriculum encourages students to combine and cross majors to create individualized academic programs. Close faculty mentorship and numerous experiential learning options create opportunities for Albright graduates to exceed their own expectations. According to the College Scorecard, Albright ranks in the top 17% of schools nationally for 40-year return on investment.

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