University Status Sees Name Changer

With a freshly designed website, logo, and sign, the celebration clearly acknowledged our new name. Alumnus Sister Ann Hartnett stated that it is a name that is "hard to get used to saying." Having personal connections with the old name, many alumni were initially unsure about the University title, but were excited once they understood the reasons behind the change.

The 116^th anniversary of the institution's first day of class was chosen to showcase the development and constant innovation of a school devoted to the highest quality of education. Our new designation has not changed who we are. Instead, it has made who we are clearer to others. A college consists of separate academic divisions while a university consists of different colleges or schools.

Up until the middle of the 20^th century, our campus was home to an elementary school, a high school, and College of Notre Dame of Maryland. In Gator Alley, where I got to speak with Sister Ann, she enthusiastically reminisced about her family's experiences saying "my sister actually went from first grade through college, all on the same campus."

The sisterhood experienced today was experienced when Sister Ann, a graduate of the class of '53, was a student as well. She spoke of the school's deep traditions, such as how during summers she and the other girls would enjoy a "movie in Le Clerc." Also, when enrolled in a Metaphysics course, they would all "meet in the circle of Meletia Hall and study together." (I am happy to report that they earned A's)

Being known mainly as a small women's college, the additions of the new Pharmacy School, the School of Education, and the School of Nursing have expanded that identity.  With these undergraduate schools, graduate programs, and the Weekend College, our designation as a single college was misleading.

A third year pharmacy student, Nadim Sidik, recognized that with our multiple schools he thought "we should be a university." Sidik made it a point to note that even with our status as a University the "faculty and staff are priceless, they are there for you." As a small liberal arts school, with a student to faculty ratio of 12:1, the goal is on developing students as a whole person.

Speaking to Sibyl Snow, the assistant director of admissions and an alumnus from the class of '06, she reported that it was too early to know how the new designation will effect enrollment but that they are anticipating positive effects.

 "As far as academics—we had strong academics before and I think being a University will help students become familiar with them." Snow explained. Speaking with students Lydia Chiosi and Tatiana White, they agreed, saying "it sounds better to be called a university than a college… people see ‘university' and think they can stay here longer."   

Chiosi, an International Relations major, also predicted that "international students might be drawn to our school because in some countries, college is translated to mean high school while university is translated into college."

Visiting the Feely International Center, I met Raquel Marcial, an ELI student from Mexico, who has been here for a year and agreed with Chiosi, saying that in Mexico "the word ‘colegio' could be a high school or a school to prepare" but that it is "not for earning a Bachelor's Degree." Referring to our new designation, Marcial said "That's better, I can tell my Mexican friends and I can feel more proud."

Any increases in enrollment will be unknown until the fall semester of 2012, but at open houses Snow said the reaction has been "positive." With shipments of the newly designed school apparel always arriving, Allegra Woodall, an Assistant Sales Manager at our bookstore said "I've been selling out of stuff more so than usual. There are many people, especially alumnus, who are proud."

An obvious result of the University Day celebration and of our new, more accurate representation is the sense of pride felt among students, staff and alumni alike.