Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Announces Campus Relocation to Advance Accessible, Globally Connected Theological Education
September 24, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strategic move within Northwestern University campus planned for 2027
EVANSTON, Ill. – Sept. 24, 2025 – Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary proudly announces a bold new chapter in its long and distinguished history, with plans to relocate to new buildings on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois—an inspiring move that will expand access to theological education and accelerate innovation in global leadership formation.
The campus relocation, planned for Fall 2027, will enable Garrett to serve a growing and increasingly global student body through flexible learning pathways and improve residential education; all while remaining rooted in the Evanston community it has called home for more than 170 years.
“Garrett is embracing the future of theological education with bold vision and a deep commitment to shaping the next generation of religious leadership,” said the Reverend Dr. Javier A. Viera, president of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. “Our strategic campus relocation will decrease barriers to educational access, let us invest more fully in our faculty and their research, and help us equip our students to become courageous leaders by meeting them where they are geographically, vocationally, and spiritually.”
Garrett’s new home will be located on the southern portion of Northwestern’s campus. Two newly renovated buildings on Hinman Avenue and Sheridan Road will feature more accessible facilities that will serve Garrett’s on campus students and be equipped with state-of the-art remote learning technologies for distance learners. Reflecting a partnership that spans nearly two centuries, Northwestern University will provide the Garrett community with regular access to its chapels and Garrett’s Styberg Library will be housed within Northwestern’s renowned collection. This collaboration ensures Garrett students and faculty continue to benefit from one of the world’s great library systems, strengthening the teaching and research mission of both institutions.
“At a time of profound change in higher education, Garrett is leading with vision and strength,” said the Rev. Dr. Andrea Wright, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Our GarrettNEXT strategic plan calls us to align our facilities with our pedagogical and community goals. This move to newly designed, modern spaces lets us direct resources more fully to our students and faculty, advance the work of our research centers and institutes, expand innovative programs, and extend our global reach. While we honor the deep history and cherished memories of our current buildings, this is not a story of loss but of growth—an intentional, bold step that ensures Garrett will thrive and flourish for generations to come.
This move enables Garrett to continue strengthening its on campus residential programs, while stewarding its resources to meet changing needs within theological education. Since 2021, almost one-quarter of Garrett students are international and we have seen a 30% increase in online students over the past two years. The United Methodist-affiliated school will continue to expand hybrid and online offerings to meet the needs of students worldwide, broadening the seminary’s reach beyond Chicagoland. Garrett offers a full portfolio of degree programs, including Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Public Ministry, and Doctor of Ministry degrees available fully online or on campus, as well as the Master of Arts in Pastoral Care and Counseling and the Doctor of Philosophy, offered in the on-campus learning community. The seminary also recently soft launched the Garrett Collective, a global online platform that extends Garrett’s reach beyond the classroom, offering continuing education, lifelong learning, and practical resources for ministry, leadership, and social impact.
Additional details about the relocation, including anticipated timeline and building design and features, will be released in the coming months.
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About Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology, ministry, and public service committed to forming courageous leaders in the way of Jesus who cultivate communities of justice, compassion, and hope. Offering a full range of masters and doctoral degrees, as well as certificates, licensing, and lifelong learning programs, Garrett prepares religious leaders and social impact innovators for service in the church and the world. The seminary is home to major research centers and institutes that advance scholarship, resource congregations and organizations, and convene global conversations on faith and social transformation. Located on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, since 1853, and historically related to the United Methodist Church, Garrett stands as a vital hub of research, training, and equipping—serving churches, communities, and social impact organizations around the world with intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and transformative vision.
Website: www.garrett.edu
Relocation FAQs
Garrett Seminary will relocate to the southern portion of the Northwestern University campus. We will move into two newly renovated buildings near Sheridan Road, where our academic and administrative operations will be centered. This ensures proximity to our current physical campus and sustains our presence within the Evanston community.
The relocation is planned for Fall 2027.
We are moving to adapt to the changing needs of our growing and increasingly global student body. Since 2021, almost one-quarter of Garrett students are international, and online enrollment has grown by 30% in just the past two years. This strategic relocation will best fit the needs of our students and the communities we serve, strengthening our mission for the future by investing more in students, faculty, flexible learning, and strategic partnerships. This forward-looking decision will help us expand access to theological education, strengthen our community and partnerships, and accelerate innovation in leadership formation.
These questions are important to us in the transition. Finding appropriate ways to honor traditions, memorials, and named spaces will be one of the transition team’s top priorities as we plan our move over the next two academic years.
The current campus will be acquired by Northwestern University. The University will have more to say on their plans in the future. As a historically landmarked site, it will remain a central and visible part of Northwestern’s campus.
No. In fact, the total amount of space Garrett will have access to will increase. We will share classroom spaces with the university, our library will be housed within Northwestern’s world-class university library, our worship life will be centered in the university chapels, and student housing will expand into Northwestern’s graduate residences. The spaces that are exclusively Garrett’s will include faculty and staff offices, centers and institutes, administrative offices, student gathering and study areas, and meeting and event spaces—ensuring both dedicated identity and expanded access.
Yes. The new campus will remain a welcoming place for alumni, donors, and community members. Our transition team will identify public spaces that can be made available for gatherings, events, and visits, while also ensuring appropriate health, safety, and security for our students, faculty, and staff.
Yes. While Garrett will transition to new facilities in 2027, the current campus is not disappearing. As a historically landmarked site, it will remain a central and visible part of Northwestern’s campus. Our agreement with Northwestern also includes a commitment to permanently memorialize Garrett’s years on this campus. In addition, we will create opportunities for alumni, friends, and community members to honor our history here and to celebrate and bless our new beginning together.
We do not anticipate any neighborhood impact or disruptions as a result this transaction. Additional logistical details about the relocation itself will be carefully planned with local officials at the time of the move.
GarrettNEXT is Garrett’s 2023–2028 strategic plan, shaping the leadership and stewardship of our Board of Trustees and senior administrators. It lays out a vision for growth, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that every decision strengthens our mission. The relocation of Garrett’s campus is a key element of this plan, designed to align our physical facilities with our bold educational goals and our commitment to serve the church and the world.
No. Garrett’s mission remains steadfast: to form courageous leaders in the way of Jesus. Our identity as a theological institution, rooted in our historic Methodist and EUB heritage, is unchanged. What will change is our capacity—our new facilities will give us fresh opportunities to live this mission more fully and to magnify our impact in the church and the world.
This move enables Garrett to continue strengthening its on-campus residential programs, while stewarding its resources to meet changing needs within theological education. We have been and will continue expanding hybrid and online offerings to meet the needs of students worldwide, broadening the seminary’s reach beyond Chicagoland.
Garrett’s decision to relocate is driven by our strategic plan, not by denominational conflict or pressure. As one of the 13 United Methodist theological schools, Garrett continues to be regularly evaluated by the Commission on Theological Education of the University Senate of The United Methodist Church. This move strengthens our ability to serve the Church by expanding access to affordable theological education, investing more deeply in students and faculty, and equipping leaders for innovative ministry—priorities that closely align with those of the denomination.
At the same time, Garrett remains an independent institution that welcomes students from many denominations and faith traditions. Our Methodist and EUB heritage grounds us, while our ecumenical and global spirit ensures that our mission of forming courageous leaders extends far beyond denominational borders.
Alumni and friends can support Garrett by encouraging our administrators, students, faculty, and staff, sharing the good news of this move within their networks, and participating in events that celebrate both our history and our future. Financial gifts—both restricted and unrestricted—remain essential to sustaining scholarships, faculty excellence, and innovative programs during this transition. And as always, we covet your prayers. Together, these forms of support will ensure our students, faculty, and staff continue to thrive as Garrett enters this exciting new chapter.