The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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May 12, 2008

Winner Institute closing due to dwindling class size

TRANSFER — The Winner Institute of Arts & Sciences will be serving up its last batch of students this summer.

When the current semester concludes at the end of June the school will close, said Karen Winner, chief executive officer of Winner International Corp. which oversees the school.

Ms. Winner blamed the post-secondary school’s demise on dwindling enrollment.

“It’s become more difficult for all schools,’’ she said. “We just had to make the decision.’’

She wasn’t sure how many students were currently enrolled but said it was under 50. The school didn’t accept any new students during the last enrollment period in anticipation of the institution being shuttered.

In 2004 the school had 70 students, according to The Carnegie Foundation, a non-profit organization.

Best known for its culinary courses, the post-secondary school also offered associate’s degrees for pharmacy technician and medical assistant.

The last known published price for attending the school was $9,706 for the 2005-2006 school year.

Opened more than a decade ago by Sharon businessman James E. Winner Jr., chairman of Winner International, the school is housed in the former Transfer Elementary School building he bought from Reynolds School District. Once the school is closed the building will be put up for sale, said his daughter Karen Winner.

“We’re helping our students find other schools and are working closely with regulatory agencies during this period,’’ Ms. Winner said.

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