It's official, Shepherd changes name to university

April 22, 2004|BY DAVE McMILLION

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Shepherd College's new name - Shepherd University - has quietly gone into effect.

But the celebrations are expected soon.

School officials began using the new name March 13 after the Legislature approved the name change, Shepherd University President David L. Dunlop said Wednesday.

A formal ceremony, including an appearance by Gov. Bob Wise, is expected to be held to celebrate the name change, Dunlop said.

Dunlop said the school probably will have another celebration in the fall for returning students and faculty.

Last year, Shepherd officials began working to change the school's name because they said the trend in higher education is that schools that refer to themselves as colleges tend to be those that offer two year-degrees.

That was a concern to Shepherd officials because they did not want prospective students to bypass Shepherd, thinking it is a two-year school, Dunlop said.

Shepherd College is a four-year school, which also has increased its graduate study programs.

Shepherd's name change probably will be a gradual process, with the school's letterhead and business cards getting changed first, Dunlop has said.

Making the name change on things like highway signs and the school catalog will take longer, Dunlop said.

University employees have been told to use up their existing letterhead over the summer, Dunlop said.

A firm that does graphic design for the university is developing a new logo for the school, Dunlop said.

The school's current logo features the top of an architectural column. The new logo is expected to be completed this summer, Dunlop said.

"We'll probably roll it out in the fall," he said.

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