Troy University News

April 16, 2004

Contact:
Tom Davis or Sandi Gouge :
(334) 670-3196; tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

Trustees approve dropping 'State' from TSU name

   The Troy State University Board of Trustees voted Friday to drop the word “State” from the university’s name with the change becoming official in August 2005.

   The vote was cast at the regular spring meeting of the Board of Trustees, held in the Civic Room of Whitley Hall on the Troy State University Montgomery Campus.

   Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., Chancellor, said the vote signals a new era for the university, one that looks toward a future of growth and progress while remaining true to its heritage.

   “Our university leadership believes that the name ‘Troy University’ more accurately reflects our worldwide mission,” Dr. Hawkins said. “We will continue, of course, our commitment to serving students from Alabama, but we also serve almost 12,000 students outside Alabama at more than 50 sites in 17 states and 10 foreign nations.”

   Dr. Hawkins said the university has held five different names since its founding in 1887 and each new name reflected a change in mission.

   Dr. Cameron Martindale, Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Relations, said the university relied on extensive research from Stamats, Inc., a firm that specializes in marketing institutions of higher education, in making the decision.

   “It is a common practice for public universities bearing a city’s name to omit the ‘state’ designation,” Dr. Martindale said. “Such well-established institutions as Clemson University, the University of Memphis, the University of Louisville and, closer to home, Auburn University, are examples.”

   Dr. Martindale added that several universities have opted for a similar change in recent years, such as two Maryland universities, Towson University and Salisbury
University.

   The new name is also expected to aid university advancement efforts, Dr. Martindale added. “Our research tells us that having the word ‘state’ in our name implies that we rely primarily on state government funding,” she said. “In reality, only 23 percent of our budget comes from the state. In turning to private donors for support, this perception of full state funding can have a negative impact, as many assume that our needs are sufficiently covered by government appropriations.”

   Dr. Martindale said presentations began in February to groups such as the Troy State University Foundation, the National Alumni Association, the Student Government Association and local and state elected officials to seek their feedback. She said the vast majority of the input received was positive.
    Chancellor Hawkins said the new name will have a unifying effect on all Troy campuses as the university continues the process of unifying all campuses and sites under one administrative system and one academic accreditation. This initiative, called “One Great University,” will take full effect, Aug. 1, 2005, the same date the new name will become official.
    “We will begin immediately using the new name when and where we can in order to make a smooth transition over the next year,” Dr. Hawkins said. “But we will not make wholesale change to items that carry the current name until it is time to replace or reorder, such as stationery, business cards, signage and many other items. It has been our intention all along to make this transition in a cost- effective manner.”