Published: September 21, 2008 12:21 am      

New name would add, not take away from The W

As preparations get under way for the 125th anniversary of Mississippi University for Women in 2009, school officials are considering the university's future.

Paramount to this is the establishment of the Columbia university's identity – particularly its name. Although MUW has been co-ed since 1982, it is still considered a school for women.

‘‘Our name no longer represents who we are,’’ said MUW President Claudia Limbert in a speech last month to faculty and staff. Limbert announced the formation of an Identity Committee to recommend a new name for the university. 

‘‘It is not right for the men on our campus to leave here with a diploma that they are embarrassed to display on a wall because of the name, Mississippi University for Women, even though they are proud of their education,’’ Limbert said.

Since the announcement, Limbert has received great support for the name change locally, from school officials and students and even government entities such as the city council and board of county supervisors. However some alumnae do not favor the change.

To assure that a new name will not take away but indeed to MUW's legacy, Limbert has taken every opportunity to speak to clubs, organizations and other interested persons – in Columbus and across the state. While in Meridian this week, she met with The Star's Editorial Board. See Monday's edition for the full interview.