Recently, Mississippi University for Women announced plans to extend its consideration of a name change in part due to lower than expected participation in surveys and focus groups.
So far, University of Northern Mississippi seems to be a favorite among alumni, students, faculty and staff, prospective students and members of the community.
University of Eastern Mississippi and University of Central Mississippi were two other leading contenders.
Since we can’t say for sure whether MUW is in north, east or central Mississippi, maybe we should abandon names based on geography altogether.
MUW deserves a name that matches the school’s rich and unique history.
Lucky for us, it already has one.
In a letter to the editor in today’s edition, Anne Webster (Class of 1968), says the name “The W: A Mississippi University” was considered in one of the school’s renaming focus groups, which she attended.
This is a fantastic name that checks a lot of boxes:
• It handles the cumbersome “for Women” in the current name as well as the need to add, “Admitting men since 1982.”
• It retains both the geographical reference (Mississippi) and gives a nod to the female-centered history.
• It doesn’t require a full rebranding for the school.
The name is both familiar and intriguing at the same time.
It would remain instantly recognizable to the community, alumni and faculty/staff.
For prospective students unfamiliar with the school, seeing “The W” in marketing materials prompts an obvious question: “What does ‘W’ stand for?”
The question opens a door to talking about both the history and the current offerings of the university, and the resulting answer gives each group – students, alumni, faculty/staff – the opportunity to explain what “The W” means to them.
It’s a name as unique as the school itself and one worth serious consideration.
Peter Imes is editor and publisher of The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected].
Peter Imes is publisher of The Dispatch. You can email him at [email protected].
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