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 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.
Crawford is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.