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College president hails 'a great day for the institution' Date published: 3/24/2004 By KRISTIN DAVIS Mary Washington College is now officially the University of Mary Washington, thanks to the governor. Gov. Mark Warner's signature yesterday on two bills passed by General Assembly was the last stamp of approval needed for the Fredericksburg school's name change. Despite a relatively easy ride through the state legislature, the change did not come without its share of controversy. Many students and alumni wanted the new name to be "Mary Washington University." Students protested the change favored by the college administration, and lobbied lawmakers to tweak the new label. Sen. Edd Houck, R-Spotsylvania fought to put the "university" at the end of the name. It is more syntactically correct, students and alumni said, and better emphasizes the school is named after a woman--the mother of George Washington, the nation's first president. The opponents argued that "Mary" gets lost in the name if it comes after "University." MWC President William Anderson and the board of visitors wanted the new name, which will link the Fredericksburg college and its James Monroe Center for Graduate and Professional Studies in southern Stafford County. "It's a great day for the institution," Anderson said late last night. "We're glad that the name change has been approved." The college hired Vectre Corp., a prominent Richmond lobbying firm, to help persuade legislators that "University" belongs before "Mary Washington" in the school's new name. Earlier this year, Anderson told senators: "It says right up front what the institution is and it also carries our heritage with us." The Student Government Association polled more than 640 students, 16 percent of the college's population. The results showed that 64 percent of current students preferred "Mary Washington University." Del. Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, and Sen. John Chichester, R-Stafford, authored the name-change bills signed yesterday by Gov. Warner. Even Cole wasn't totally sold on the new name, but he said earlier this year that the decision was up to the MWC board of visitors. Staff writer Chelyen Davis, reporting from Richmond, contributed to this story. To reach KRISTIN DAVIS: 540/368-5028 kdavis@freelancestar.com
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