FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 28, 2009
Contact: Macaulay Knight
662.329.7119
mknight@pa.muw.edu

University one step closer to new name

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Three names recently emerged as a possible future moniker for Mississippi University for Women. Reneau University, Waverley University and Welty-Reneau University were chosen by the 30-person MUW Naming Committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders.

The committee provided rationalizations for each name suggestion in order to better communicate MUW’s goals for the new name.

Reneau University honors Sallie Reneau, a dedicated proponent of women’s education in the late 19th century. She began the campaign that eventually prompted the Mississippi Legislature to establish present-day MUW, the first public college for women in America.

Waverley University comes from a novel penned by Sir Walter Scott and evokes images of innovation, vision and creativity, all of which describe the university’s long and storied history, as well as its current outlook.

Welty-Reneau University combines two very important people in MUW history. Sallie Reneau, as noted, is truly a founder of the university. Eudora Welty attended the university for two years and is one of the university’s most noted former students. This suggestion recognizes the life and work of the Pulitzer Prize-winning author.

A process that began in August of 2007 with the launch of, "MUW 20/20: Envisioning Our Future, Fulfilling Our Promise," led to more than 180 different suggested names from approximately 1,000 submissions.

The three names will be test marketed by The Cirlot Agency, which specializes in brand strategy, public relations and market research. The results are expected within four to six weeks.

At that time, the MUW Leadership Committee, including the presidents of the MUW Faculty Senate, MUW Staff Council, MUW Student Government Association, MUW Alumni Association and the chair of the Board of Directors of the MUW Foundation will recommend one name to MUW President Claudia A. Limbert. She will then recommend a name on behalf of the university to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for its approval. The final decision on the new name will rest with the Mississippi Legislature.

For more information about the MUW 20/20 campaign and the upcoming name change, visit http://www.muw.edu/pie/2020focusreports/index.php.