Soon, “the W” may no longer have a W word in its name.
It began as the Industrial Institute and College for the Education of White Girls by proclamation of the Mississippi Legislature on March 12, 1894 – the first public women’s college in the U.S. Its enlightened dual purpose back then was to provide a liberal arts education for white women and to prepare them for employment.
In 1920, White Girls went away when the Legislature agreed to change the name to Mississippi State College for Women. However, it wasn’t until 1966 when the college admitted its first Black students.
In 1974, when all Mississippi public colleges got renamed as universities, MSCW became the Mississippi University for Women.
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1982 that the college could no longer be a single sex institution, MUW began admitting men. That led to efforts to remove women from the name. However, powerful alumnae wanted to continue the emphasis on women’s education and to sustain the popular sobriquet “the W.”
By 2009, efforts to remove gender from the name gained momentum. A university naming committee considered three names – Waverly University, Welty-Reneau University, and Reneau University. Then president Claudia Limbert chose to put forward Reneau University. Prominent alumnae derailed that one.
In 2022, current president Nora Miller appointed another committee to come up with a new name following input from faculty.
Last week she announced that on July 1, 2024, MUW will become Mississippi Brightwell University – upon approval by the IHL Board and the Legislature.
If approved, the university’s name will finally become as inclusive as its student body.
The new name was inspired by the university’s motto, "We study for light to bless with light," Miller told media. “Our motto epitomizes the enduring essence of a supportive, inclusive and empowered community," she said. "Our distinguished faculty — beacons of enlightenment and a wellspring of knowledge — collaborate with each of our students one-on-one.”
Miller believes there will be a groundswell of support for the name change. "We have been steadfast in sharing information and soliciting input from all stakeholders — leadership, alumni, students, faculty, staff and the broader community," she said.
It will be interesting to see if the enlightened and inclusive branding connoted by the new name will be controversy free in the Legislature. Debates over Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) issues at universities and efforts to make universities more vocational than enlightened could weigh in. (Will DEI antagonist State Auditor Shad White poke his nose into this?)
Hopefully, MUW will be allowed to end its name dilemma once and for all.
“Be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.
30 comments:
Online diploma mill name. Try again.
This name is patently not acceptable to a wide swath of alumnus. The connotation according to modern language dictionaries is "sex addicted". Not an attractive name. Any male who want to attend MUW can. He knows the name before he applies, so if it bothers him he can go elsewhere.
I don’t like Brightwell, it sounds generic & bland. Like those college course online type places. No character.
History is not there for you to like or dislike. It is there for you to learn from, and if it offends you, even better, because then you are less likely to repeat it. It's not yours to erase, modify, or destroy.
This will only make it easier for the college board to deliver the final death blow to MUW and merge it away as part of the ultimate plan. The old influential alumni will feel less of the stubborn loyal support for "Brightwell" than for their alma mater, the "W". If only they could do something similar for Jackson State, it would make their downsizing plans go a lot smoother.
What about naming it the Southern New Hampshire University of Mississippi?
Reeks of desperation. Come get your diplomas! Big sale! Better than Phoenix!!!
Evidently written by Crawford mid-week, considering that "W" President Miller is now 'reconsidering' this proposed name change following the groundswell of opposition from alumni across the spectrum.
But Miller remains steadfast in not using any 'historical' names that were the top choices from the survey she conducted last year. Nothing that uses a "W" in it is acceptable to her (eliminating the idea of Welty University) because she doesn't want it to forever be remembered by its founding. Not sure how that fits with what the alumni base think is important.
Merge it with Mississippi State.
How can this clown opine for the wrong side of every issue and still get published. It has to be an effort to frustrate readers.
The name change directive does not come from MUW or it's alumni and supporters. They don't want it. Who wants it and Why? A presidential committee? Who want's it and Why?
Here we go again! Trying to please a very very small segment of people. Leave the name the same and tell um to just get over it!
Here I stand, violin in hand, ready to play the Billy LaForge Eulogy for Miller.
Meanwhile: I fixed this for you, Crawford...
"In 1974, when all Mississippi public colleges got renamed as universities..."
"In 1974, when all Mississippi public colleges managed to get themselves renamed as universities, regardless of the prerequisites for such designations..."
"Miller believes there will be a groundswell of support for the name change. "We have been steadfast in sharing information and soliciting input from all stakeholders — leadership, alumni, students, faculty, staff and the broader community," she said."
What a damnable, bald-faced lie! And she knows it.
"Input Solicitation"? I'm a 'broader community stakeholder' with three living, female family member alumnae. What 'solicitation of input'?
Brightwell? Terrible name.
It sounds generic and like someone got it from an online college name generator.
I can’t believe someone actually put this forward as an option.
The Ole Miss/MSU board of directors should simply merge it with MSU and stop beating around the bush. Enough already.
Congrats Bill. This column sets a new standard for your irrelevance.
"W" for woke.
I have long believed that each of the eight universities should be able to choose their own presidents, rather than have the IHL board do it. If that were the case, this president would be ousted. No one associated with the W wants this new name.
Brightwell reminds me of Fallwell which reminds me of his son posing, unzipped, with his wife's employee, also unzipped, at Liberty which reminds me of Freeze which reminds me I forgot to buy toilet paper.
Why do the liberals hate women?
I have a solution to this problem, the IHL should fire the President. She is the main person who thinks this non-issue is a major issue.
So, to recap: Brightwell is not the name of a person, not a remembrance or a recognition of anything past or present.
Brightwell is sort of a, ah, a concept, a thought, like a soaring butterfly, a reflection of things that are bright and going well, that when coupled with education, then, bright being the preferred outcome of a degree.
Well? Do I have that right?
It is time for a new president. This one obviously has no clue and is not trying to get one. It is probably also time for each university to determine their own destiny instead of all being governed by the same IHL. The IHL seems to frequently miss the mark with the college presidents that they choose.
This new name is incredibly disrespectful to the women that went to The W. The OG ladies that went to The W are rolling in their graves. What a hot mess this president has made in choosing a totally irrelevant and embarrassing name.
Why not East( Eastern) University of Mississippi or University of Mississippi-Columbus
While we have not consolidated, it is a co-educational state supported University with graduate level courses and THAT is the message to convey.
That is how other former women's colleges have transitioned. Some even have successful NCAA sports teams now!
GEEZ...no need to reinvent the wheel.
For the life of me I cannot understand why Welty is not incorporated into the name. I can't speak for a single alumnus/ae so I would like to hear from one who would object to that.
I have no dog in the hunt, but the name selected is a seriously bad choice. I will be surprised, and disappointed, if the legislature approves. If nothing else, the name sounds like an online outfit selling fake diplomas
As a W alumna I, and numerous other W alums, like and would support a name change incorporating 'Welty';i.e. Welty University. Though not a W graduate, Eudora Welty did attend the W for two years.
We've been told that the Welty family does not support the use of the Welty name. Why?? Why do they (niece, great/great-great nieces/nephews) not support this way of honoring their aunt??
Mary Alice Welty White, Eudora's niece, is secretary of the (state) Eudora Welty Foundation.
The Eudora Welty Foundation's National 2023 Advisory Board includes several familiar names. Two in particular stand out to me:
(1) Andrea Overby--past president of the MUW Alumna Association and past chair of the MUW Foundation.
(2) Clyda Rent--president of MUW 1989-2001. As President of the W, Dr. Rent initiated the Eudora Welty Writers' Symposium which has been held at the W for the past 35 years.
Why are these two Welty advisory board members (and supposedly W supporters) not speaking out regarding the use of the Welty name?
The whole purpose of this name change, is to erase and make irrelevant, another little piece of America's proud history. Incorporating 'Welty', would not serve that purpose. The quislings in state government, will do what outside forces tell them to do.
11:12 might be onto something. Since there's already a North Alabama and South Alabama University, this one could easily be West Alabama State Public...while hiding W.A.S.P. in the name.
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