WordUp by Chad Gramling

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I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do this. And I guess I don’t have to do so – but I am increasingly compelled to do so every time someone asks me to sign this silly on-line petition in hopes of halting Tri-State University from changing its name.

For the record, I AM IN FAVOR OF TRI-STATE UNIVERSITY CHANGING ITS NAME.

When they first announced the decision to do so, I had some fun at the university’s expense by crafting my own suggestions. It read like a David Letterman Top Ten List, and was humorous if I do say so myself. But the truth is, I think it’s about friggen time they lost the silly name—AND I hope they change the mascot while they’re at it.

I mean, come on . . . Thunder? The only way they could personify that was to have a Thor-like creaton (big head guy) carry around a lightening bolt!!!

Anywho, it’s no secret that colleges and universities are hyper-competitive today and a great deal of stock is placed into building a reputation and solid brand to market your services to prospective students and their parents.

Tri-State University doesn’t really fit the bill.

There are 38 tri-points on land in the United States. There are another 24 locations where the tri-point is under bodies of water; such as rivers and lakes. Heck, six of those are along the Mississippi river alone!

In fact, when I tell people I have my degree from Tri-State University, they start talking to me about New York. NEW YORK CITY!?!?!?!?!?

Additionally, if you are against the change simply because you feel there is a “solid tradition in the school’s name” you have another thing coming. Tri-State Normal College was founded in 1884 for literary and commercial studies. Notice there is nothing about engineering there. That didn’t happen until 1902.

In 1906, the school changed its name to Tri-State College. In 1967, the Tri-State “Engineers” changed their nickname to the “Trojans” and became subject to condom jokes thereafter (or at least until 1990 when the school became the now infamous “Thunder” and thus subjected fans to AC/DC music at all sporting events (the song title is called “Thunderstruck” in case you’re not familiar.

In 1975, the school officially became Tri-State University. That’s 1975 folks. The only tradition I see in that history is a lot of name changes . . . so I guess it’s only due.

Alas, here’s where you will say, “but any good school would not sell their name.” Again, that’s where I must counter.

In 1869, the Indiana General Assembly located an institution near Lafayette and accepted $150,000 from John Purdue. Guess what they named it . . . (um, Purdue?).
Here’s another one: The Eastern Indiana Normal School was founded in 1899. That’s a real good name. Fitting to the area and representative of the purpose I guess. But they ran into trouble and had to close. They reopened in 1902 as “Palmer Institute” after a retired Indiana banker named Francis Paler gave them $100,000. In 1905, they went back to being called a more generic name of Indiana Normal College. That’s a good normal name (pun intended I guess). They changed their name again in 1912 and became the Indiana Normal Institute.

Financial hardship hit the school again in 1917 and their school entered foreclosure until a band of brothers paid about $35K for the administration building and the some land. They game the land and school to the state the following year.

In 1922, the legislature renamed the school in honor of the brothers and called it Ball Teachers College. In 1929, the school was renamed Ball State Teachers College. In 1961 it became, you guessed it, Ball State College. In 1965, it became Ball State University.

Want more?

• Butler University? Named for Ovid Butler who founded the North Western Christian University. Among other things, he did offer financial support.
• Depaw University? Named in honor of Washington C. DePauw . . . who provided financial support.
• Grambling? I had to throw this in for obvious reasons. It was named for P.G. Grambling who provided land for the school.

I could provide more, but this post is getting long and you get my point.

All you folks who are sending me e-mails to sign your petitions and whatnot, save your time. I’m not going to sign it and even if you landed every signature of every current and former student in the school’s history, it wouldn’t make one bit of difference.

The school is trying to be proactive in developing a true and recognizable brand that it can leverage to develop a new tradition that today’s student seeks. I am sure we all would love to remember little old Tri-State University with the crappy tennis courts and even crappier food. I’m sure we’d love to recollect fondly on all the Honda’s parked along the street and the swimming pool that wasn’t usable because it was a foot too small. I’m sure we’d all love to remember our great times in Unit A or the gritters in Unit D. I’m sure we’d like to . . .

. . . a heck, it’s not worth it. Face it, Tri-State University is as gone as Vax1.

[tags]Tri-State University, name changes, branding[/tags]