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Whitworth's trustees decided at their fall meeting to change the name of the college to Whitworth University by no later than 2009. However, trustees and administrators made clear that the move is intended to clarify, rather than change, Whitworth's mission and identity.
"Because we love the Whitworth culture and character, we will compromise neither in making this change," says Whitworth President Bill Robinson. "The fact, however, is that schools in our part of the country with a profile resembling ours commonly call themselves universities."
The board vote was close, 18-14, as some trustees expressed concern that the "college" label more accurately reflects Whitworth's liberal-arts emphasis and warm campus culture. Others noted that the record number and quality of student applicants suggests the name change may not be necessary. Ultimately, a majority of the board was persuaded that "Whitworth University" would better differentiate Whitworth from two-year colleges that are dropping "community" from their names and in international settings where colleges are often seen as secondary schools. Immediately after the decision, the board voted unanimously to support the name change and to move forward with it while the institution is in the strongest position in its history.
"This was hard for all of us who had to cast a vote, but it was our board at its best – honest, passionate, respectful and united in our support of Whitworth's mission," Robinson says. "Because we feel no urgency to make the change, we will proceed at a pace that allows us to minimize the expenses and assure people that the best of who we are will endure long into the future."
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