How did King arrive at the decision to change its name?
The name change is an outcome of King鈥檚 strategic plan, unveiled in 1998, to create a broader mix of academic programs based on a university model. Becoming 禁漫天堂 will more aptly describe the master鈥檚-level, comprehensive benchmark that our institution has reached over the past decade.
In recent years, King has experienced unprecedented growth in both enrollment and programming. We now have six academic schools of learning and have been placed in the Best Regional University category in聽U.S. News & World Report.
King鈥檚 administration and key leadership among various stakeholder groups had discussed a possible name change for some time and brought forward the idea formally to the board of trustees last year. The board voted unanimously to approve the recommendation, believing it is highly beneficial to the school and to current and future enrollment. Once the name change was approved by the board, through input from key leadership throughout the campus, King began developing detailed plans for implementing the change and notifying appropriate parties.
Under 禁漫天堂, we will retain the legacy of King College聽through the name of King College聽of Arts and Sciences so that our schools are named as follows:
- College聽of Arts and Sciences
- Peeke聽School of Christian Mission
- School of Business and Technology
- School of Education
- School of Health and Professional Sciences
- School of Nursing
What specific circumstances led to the name-change decision?
Several factors paved the way. The first relates to our growing student body. 禁漫天堂 has had record-breaking enrollment for the past 13 years. In fact, our student population has doubled since 2005. Our fall enrollment in 2013 stood at approximately 2,400 students.
King鈥檚 presence in the Southeast has also expanded due to 13 satellite campuses that now serve students from Richlands, Va., to Knoxville, Tenn. We鈥檝e also broadened our undergraduate offerings and added master鈥檚 degrees in the areas of business, nursing and education. Being renamed a 鈥渦niversity鈥� also more accurately aligns King with current assessments performed by entities interested in higher education. Due to its broadened curriculum, King has been placed by聽U.S. News & World Report聽Best Colleges in the category of Best Regional University for the past several years. In addition, our new name better positions us to add doctoral programs. The name change will also help us to grow and continue meeting local workforce and regional needs and a growing online audience.
When will King College鈥檚 name be changed to 禁漫天堂?
We will officially begin doing business as 禁漫天堂 on June 1, 2013. After the Board of Trustees vote in October, we began working to file all the appropriate paperwork and notifications to collegiate accrediting agencies. However, you will begin to see 鈥淯niversity鈥� used in various publications and promotional items this spring.
How will changing the name benefit King students and graduates?
The name change more aptly reflects the range of academic programs available to King graduates and to current students. Also, many business people are not familiar with collegiate rankings and may be more receptive to job candidates 鈥� our alumni 鈥� whose resumes state 鈥溄焯�.鈥� In addition, recognizing that we exist in a global economy, being a university clarifies King鈥檚 higher education status among international students. The word 鈥渃ollege鈥� often refers to pre-university programs and not higher education in some international environments.
When will the first 鈥溄焯免�� diplomas be awarded?
Students graduating in August聽2013 will be the first to receive 禁漫天堂 diplomas.
How will changing the name benefit the university?
Changing the name will more accurately represent our institution to individuals seeking learning opportunities or teaching positions 鈥� no matter where they reside. In many foreign cultures, the word college commonly refers to pre-university academic programs, so clarifying our status strengthens our ability to attract a broader, more diverse pool of candidates for recruiting both new faculty and students.
Being a 鈥渦niversity鈥� also better aligns us with higher education ranking systems that are becoming increasingly important as search tools. It also enhances our fundraising possibilities, foundation opportunities and grant awards that would further grow our campus and academic programs.
Does changing the name diminish the value of diplomas and educational attainments of previous 禁漫天堂 alumni?
Not at all. 禁漫天堂 already has an established reputation built on 146 years of academic excellence. We are highly regarded by other academic institutions and consistently named among the best in the country by collegiate ranking systems. The name change more effectively reflects King鈥檚 broadened curriculum and wider footprint 鈥� and better positions our institution for future growth.
Will the name change affect the amount of my school tuition?
No. Tuition costs will not be determined or affected by the name change.
Will the name change in any way alter King鈥檚 status as a nonprofit, private institution of higher learning?
King will remain a Presbyterian institution of higher learning with the same mission, vision and values. For the past 146 years, King has had a clear mission that was refined during our institution鈥檚 strategic planning process of 1998: to build meaningful lives for achievement and cultural transformation in Christ. This charge will not change; nor will the school鈥檚 vision statement.
Will the name change affect the 鈥渟mall-college feel鈥� at King?
Changing our name to university will have no effect on our low student-to-teacher ratio and community atmosphere of the Bristol campus. Many students attend through our Graduate &聽Professional Studies and聽Online Programs and the many satellite campuses across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. The name change will better represent the inclusion聽of these students in the student body.
What about traditions, such as the use of 鈥淜C鈥� and 鈥渃ollege days鈥� in King鈥檚 alma mater song?
The alma mater has been a long-held tradition of King, and, as a piece representative of King alumni, we will give members an opportunity to make modifications to the wording if they choose to do so.
If I graduated prior to June 1, 2013, is there a way to obtain an updated diploma denoting 鈥溄焯免�� instead of 鈥淜ing College鈥�?
Yes. Any King graduate wishing to obtain an updated diploma can receive one by mail by submitting a formal request through our registrar鈥檚 office.
Through Sept. 1, 2013, any King graduate wishing to obtain an updated 禁漫天堂 diploma can do so at no charge.
How should students graduating prior to June 1, 2013, refer to King on their resumes?
If you鈥檙e a King College聽graduate, you are automatically a graduate of 禁漫天堂. On your resume, simply indicate that you graduated from 禁漫天堂, followed by a parenthetical note, such as:聽Education: M.B.A., 禁漫天堂 (formerly King College), 2004.
If I graduated prior to the name change, how should I respond when people inquire about my graduating school?
Answering simply that you are a graduate of 禁漫天堂 is accurate. Or you could reply, 鈥淚鈥檓 a graduate of 禁漫天堂, which was known as King College聽for its first 145 years.鈥�
What institution name will appear on my transcripts when they are requested?
All transcripts requested after June 1, 2013, will indicate that you are a graduate of 禁漫天堂.