2008 Woodie Awards
Alumni, Faculty Remember Last Change of the University Name
Jen Braaten/for the Muleskinner
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Last week's University name change created a familiar buzz for some alumni and faculty.
The University is now experiencing its fifth name change.
The last change came in 1972 when legislation passed for five Missouri colleges to become universities.
Aug. 13, 1972, marked the date that Central Missouri State College became Central Missouri State University.
"I thought we deserved it," said Bob Kennedy, former math professor.
Past president Warren Lovinger's statement from 1972 also reflects that same sentiment; "We have for some years been functioning as a University, so it is fitting that we may now apply that title."
"There was a lot of buzz about it; [that] it's a University now," said Alice Evans, 1974 CMSU alumnae.
There was not much opposition to changing the name, either then or now.
Kennedy and Evans did not recall any dissatisfaction to the former change, and current UCM students have not expressed much dislike either.
"It's still the same school, but I like CMSU, " Evans said.
The changes have taken place, in part, to give the school more prestige.
Taking cues from other universities, like former SMSU, now Missouri State University; UCM will likely garner more national recognition as a major player as a university within the state of Missouri.
Certainly changing from a college to a university gave UCM more recognition.
"CMSU was more respected, [than CMSC]," Kennedy said. "It was not a big name school," Evans said.
The school changed its name to a university for a multitude of reasons, but it hoped to bring its graduates better job placements with a more competitive accreditation.
Evans does not believe it's had a significant impact on her career though, saying her employers have never specifically asked if Central Missouri was a college or university institution.
But, for more recent graduates, it could have been the deciding factor that propelled them into their career.
History may have repeated itself in Warrensburg last week, but with more diplomas being earned every year, it's important to be competitive in the job market.
That is why Central Missouri continues to increase its respect by making appropriate changes.
The University is now experiencing its fifth name change.
The last change came in 1972 when legislation passed for five Missouri colleges to become universities.
Aug. 13, 1972, marked the date that Central Missouri State College became Central Missouri State University.
"I thought we deserved it," said Bob Kennedy, former math professor.
Past president Warren Lovinger's statement from 1972 also reflects that same sentiment; "We have for some years been functioning as a University, so it is fitting that we may now apply that title."
"There was a lot of buzz about it; [that] it's a University now," said Alice Evans, 1974 CMSU alumnae.
There was not much opposition to changing the name, either then or now.
Kennedy and Evans did not recall any dissatisfaction to the former change, and current UCM students have not expressed much dislike either.
"It's still the same school, but I like CMSU, " Evans said.
The changes have taken place, in part, to give the school more prestige.
Taking cues from other universities, like former SMSU, now Missouri State University; UCM will likely garner more national recognition as a major player as a university within the state of Missouri.
Certainly changing from a college to a university gave UCM more recognition.
"CMSU was more respected, [than CMSC]," Kennedy said. "It was not a big name school," Evans said.
The school changed its name to a university for a multitude of reasons, but it hoped to bring its graduates better job placements with a more competitive accreditation.
Evans does not believe it's had a significant impact on her career though, saying her employers have never specifically asked if Central Missouri was a college or university institution.
But, for more recent graduates, it could have been the deciding factor that propelled them into their career.
History may have repeated itself in Warrensburg last week, but with more diplomas being earned every year, it's important to be competitive in the job market.
That is why Central Missouri continues to increase its respect by making appropriate changes.
Be the first to comment on this story