The Oregonian/OregonLive's May 17 story on Marylhurst University's closing ("Marylhurst University to close, board cites declining enrollment") left the impression that Marylhurst was just part of a cultural change resulting in many smaller colleges closing their doors.

I disagree. Marylhurst caused its own demise. It had a good, solid program of courses, supported by welcoming and empathetic faculty who enjoyed teaching and helping students learn. That atmosphere invited many non-traditional students to take courses, some studying for degrees, others just taking interesting classes.

When former President Nancy Wilgenbusch retired, the school lost that successful model -- matching a predominantly adjunct faculty dedicated to a love for teaching and helping students with a student body often unsuccessful in other colleges and needing a helping hand.

The next leadership built a different kind of faculty, political activists focused on delivering a judgmental mix of left-wing issues and politics that turned off and shutdown many of its students.

Just one example: Marylhurst had earned a national reputation for its educational support of recent military veterans. We had fine vets who were enthusiastic learners and disciplined, focused students. They were not exactly the right demographic for the mindless preening of a faculty shifting from teaching to political advocacy. The same, perhaps, was true for others first attracted to Marylhurst for its caring, student-focused, non-traditional environment. I understand why they walked away.

Sadly, this remarkable little school on a beautiful riverside campus has now paid the price for losing track of its purpose.

John F. Cullicott, Lake Oswego

Cullicott was an adjunct professor at Marylhurst from 1997 to 2015.