FHSU to UWK

Recently, I've heard word of a potential name change being considered for Fort Hays State University. A proposal looks to change the name to the University of Western Kansas. It seems the idea is already stirring up quite a few people, with good reason. A name is very important to a university and it shouldn't be tampered with unless vital.

And while I have grown fond of the name over the years, and, as a recent graduate of FHSU, it would be strange to see it change, I must say, looking at the options logically without letting emotion get in the way, I think this might be a smart move by the university should they decide to do it.

Obviously , most people who are at the school now, or have graduated here in the past, would not want to change the name. Those people are worried about things like tradition and pride and other "ra ra" type things. But that stuff doesn't matter to future students.

This decision is about the future of the school, not the past.

Current students have made their decision already, and, while they may not be happy, aren't going to transfer to a different school on a detail like a name. The only negative effect it might have is to lower donations by alumni who are mad at the decision to change the name. But even resentment over that change would even out over time.

Changing the name is meant to appeal to future students, those who may not have heard of FHSU at all until looking for schools online.

Would those new people be more drawn to a school with the moniker FHSU or UWK? (May I also add that by addressing the school as UWK - not WKU - it changes the connotation completely, as it would eliminate confusion to a tie with KU.)

Fort Hays State University (and "FHSU") just sounds very strange when you are not used to saying it. It is obscure sounding and more likely a turnoff than a turn on for potential students. University of Western Kansas (UWK), on the other hand, sounds more prestigious. It sounds like a big-time university, not some military fort. The name change would also have a subliminal effect on those hiring graduates due to the same reasons.

Fort Hays State is more and more becoming a big-time university. It is time it got a name that gives justice to the quality of education it provides.

In closing, while the name change would perhaps have negative effects in the short term (both in costs to change it and student/alumni disapproval), those negative effects would be more than offset by the long-term financial benefits through increased enrollment and prestige for the school that such a name change would certainly bring about.

There is a reason we are not still called Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School (or the other four names FHSU once had). And I bet each time it changed there was plenty of opposition. But those changes have been for the better. Now it is time to change the name of this school on the plains one more time.

Bring on the University of Western Kansas.