The Mississippi Christian University issued the following statement.
Today (June 1, 2026), the state’s oldest institution of higher learning, Mississippi College, officially changes its name to Mississippi Christian University.
MC President Blake Thompson said the University’s new name is a strategic, forward-looking decision that better reflects the school’s Christian mission, academic scope and long-term vision. Fittingly, the change comes amid the University’s celebration of its 200th anniversary in 2026.
“In this bicentennial year for the University, we want to ensure that MC will be a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ for another 200 years,” Thompson said.
Discussions about a potential name change had been ongoing at MC for decades. Thompson said the shift to Mississippi Christian University emphasizes the school’s faith-based identity and university-level academic program offerings. It also allows the institution to maintain its beloved “MC” logo and moniker.
“We have been rooted deeply in this state for 200 years, and we will continue to serve Mississippi by prioritizing our students, maintaining our academic focus and striving to reflect the message of Christ,” Thompson said.
“‘Mississippi Christian University’ more fully reflects who we are and who we aspire to be.”
Thompson emphasized that the change will not affect the institution’s accreditation, academic programs or commitment to providing a high-quality education. Students, faculty and alumni will continue to benefit from the same rigorous coursework, vibrant campus life and strong community that has defined the institution for generations.
Marco Pineda, 2026-27 MC Student Government Association president, said he and his classmates are thrilled to be the first to have “Mississippi Christian University” printed on their diplomas.
“The name ‘Mississippi College’ is revered and will continue to be cherished and remembered across the state,” said the senior communication/journalism major from Oxford. “But I have often had to explain to those outside the campus community that MC is both a full-scale university and a Christian institution. I strongly believe the name ‘Mississippi Christian University’ provides immediate clarity to our identity as an institution.
“This renaming is ultimately about identity and a recommitment to that identity. Many students share the sentiment that it is a needed step forward that will help drive MC into the future. They are excited to be a part of this moment that will lead to an even stronger sense of commitment and affection for what ‘Mississippi Christian’ stands for.”
The Mississippi College School of Law will also adopt the name and become the Mississippi Christian University School of Law, but will remain known as the MC School of Law or, simply, MC Law.
Refreshed lettering on the University marquee sign at the Highway 80 and Springridge Road intersection is one of the first tangible signs of the name change. The banner at ‘The Gates’ to campus beckons visitors, “Welcome to Mississippi Christian University,” while more evidence of the new name will follow on campus in the coming weeks and months.
What hasn’t changed at MC or MC Law are the traditions, memories and people. The University remains committed to the success of its students, the integration of faith and learning throughout the educational process, and the preparation of the next generation of Christian leaders.
“We students are enrolled at a significant point in the life of the University,” Pineda said. “There is a shared excitement about being right in the middle of it all.”
For more information about the shift to Mississippi Christian University, visit mc.edu/introducing-mississippi-christian-university.

25 comments:
There will be no day of my life that I refer to it by another name than Mississippi College.
If only the MC alumni base were as energized as that of MUW to reject stupid name changes loudly and forcefully.
It will continue to be called Mississippi College by everyone over 40, just like the Gulf of America will always be called the Gulf of Mexico.
@2:24
There is a reason to switch from "college" to "university". I cant recall what those reasons are right now but Belhaven outlined them when they switched years ago. They aren't changing the name because someone thought the new one sounded better.
2:24-blame all the two year schools that now are "college" instead of 'community college'... to anyone outside of the region, MC looked at as a two year school, simply because of the name "college".
2:47, That is correct. I will not change my vocabulary to stroke the egos of crazy people (or social media).
"Mississippi Christian University School of Law" sounds even worse than the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe).
In a day and age where the tent for students to attend college needs to be larger, MC found a way to make the tent smaller for no reason whatsoever.
If you are having to explain that "Mississippi College" is a full-scale university, then you're talking to someone who will likely ask even more questions when you tell them "Mississippi Christian University" is not a made up private school borne during the days of integration.
Mississippi College Changes Name. There, FIFY.
In the overall scheme of things is this really worth all of the whining and hand ringing? Focus on some real problems in your lives (like your whiny attitudes).
in the American sense of 'college' and 'university,' no one gives a shit about the difference. MC made the wrong call, choosing for whatever reasons to toss out the brand recognition they have built over the last (checks notes) 200 years (!).
You don't see any Boston College alums or prospects clamoring for "Boston University of Catholic Studies and Research Excellence."
It will never be anything other than Mississippi College ("MC") to me.
Part is probably driven by (1) they are a university (granting graduate or terminal degrees), (2) they probably think the name was getting lost in the sauce, although, I'm not sure the new one is any better on some level; however, there is something to be said for throwing in "Christian" as it brands harder, hits stronger on a Google search.
With so much of a higher ed in turmoil, institutions closing, they probably thought this would strengthen their position down the road. Despite it ruffling some feathers now, this convo won't matter in 20 years.
I don't know why they cut the football program though. They should have at least tried to go back down to D3, though there's been some whiplash on that.
"The University’s new name is a strategic, forward-looking decision that better reflects the school’s Christian mission, academic scope and long-term vision."
" it is a needed step forward that will help drive MC into the future. They are excited to be a part of this moment that will lead to an even stronger sense of commitment and affection for what ‘Mississippi Christian’ stands for.”
I'm so tired of this BS politically correct language. I graduated from MC, and will continue to only call it Mississippi College. Blake just wants another resume builder for when he leaves.
MC-Hollis - Glenny School of bullshit
This is a case of too many people in a small room talking to each other until they decide the bad idea is a good idea.
Crap minor schools change their uniforms every other year. UAB, Louisiana Monroe, SE Louisiana, Memphis for example. You don't see Bama, LSU or Texas ever changing stuff.
Same for these naming arrangements. All a name change does is tell me you are desperately trying to be relevant. Which tells me you aren't.
2:47– BINGO— leave something alone. Mississippi College has always been Mississippi College. The Gulf of Mexico has always been the Gulf of Mexico. The end.
Sorry, Neptune...The former Gulf of Mexico is now the Gulf of Dixie. Every state touched by the Gulf is a Dixie state.
Much to the disdain of Tater-Reeves, the Confederate First National will be unfurled along the Mississippi coastline.
You're whining about the name change, yet you want them to keep their football team. WTF? Here's a question for you: why do any of the DII or DIII schools have teams or even the bottom 80 of Div-1? Riddle me that!
This happened because of weak leadership. Dr. Thompson is a weak leader and hardly ever on campus.
Saying he is hardly ever on campus is a strange comment. I've met parents out of state who have met him on campus while visiting their child. He greeted the student by name. The parents were impressed that the President of the school would know their child by name. He engages with students regularly. Presidents of universities are often off campus. Among the obligations of a president are responsibilities is to raise money, connect with alums, and build relationships with the legislature, etc. If he were hiding in his office on campus, that would be a big concern. He isn't. As far as the name change, it has been an ongoing discussion for 30 years. Outside of Mississippi, relatively few people know of Mississippi College (which sounds like a community college to them). Recruiting out of state is ever more important with declining college age student population in the near future. The name change is part of the recognition that recruiting out of state will become increasingly important for the school. It's not about his ego, whatever you may think. It's more about positioning for future needs.
@4:58 Not saying ditching football won't be fine for them long term. Considering MC has some not insignificant gridiron history it's just somewhat surprising. Even in the NIL, go big or go bust, for small schools, it can be a given, and maybe much needed, 75-100 extra bodies paying tuition every year, which can help as long as you watch your margins. Even if only mom and dad are only ones showing up to watch. Considering it's the South too, not having football is going to affect the campus dynamics/student body vibes in certain ways down the road; will be interesting to see how it plays out.
In Chinese, the Gulf of Mexico is called 墨西哥湾 (Mòxīgē Wān).
Here is the literal breakdown of the characters:
墨西 (Mòxīgē): The phonetic transliteration for "Mexico"
湾 (Wān): Gulf or bay
This is all that matters since China is a nearly 7000 year old civilization and The United States of America is unlikely to exist past this century.
This has been 20 years in process. President Royce began the conversation/idea and the fact it took this long to *change a name* should be a business case study in itself.
Years ago the designation "university" carried quite a meaning in Mississippi. There were certain requirements that had to be met to go beyond the basic standards and offerings of a "college". That all changed when Jackson State achieved the requirements and requested "university" status with UM, MSU, and USM. Mississippi and it's IHL would not allow it so they simply said that henceforth the title "university" had no meaning and all colleges could be called "university"... That really happened.
So, should Millsaps change its name to "Mississippi Thine Here Ain't No God University" (MS THANG U) or "Millscraps?"
I didn’t go there, and I know that many won’t like it and that it will take time to adjust to the new name. I can support them making the change and publicly stating exactly for what, and with whom, they stand. There’s nothing lukewarm about that name change. I find it quite inspiring. It’s a lot better than Brightwell University.
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