Union Adventist University: After considering a year’s worth of research, the Union College Board of Trustees decided to alter the school’s name for the first time in its 132-year history on October 2. The Lincoln, Nebraska, institution will change its name to Union Adventist University in May 2024.
Gary Thurber, board chair, stated that “we think this name will better communicate Union’s scope as we broaden our graduate offerings.” It also enables us to stand out from other institutions with the same name while reinforcing our ties to a faith that prioritises service and welcomes everyone who wants to benefit from a top-notch Christian education.
Tinubu’s certificate scandal: Chicago University limits access to its Twitter account
Union College Will Become Union Adventist University
30 healthcare workers graduate each year from Union College’s first graduate programme, a master of physician assistant studies, which was established 15 years ago. As Union began the process of establishing three new graduate programmes in 2023 and 2024, many faculty members and alumni started to wonder if this may be the ideal time to switch the name to “university.”
“The Union College name carries a great legacy that is near and dear to all of our hearts,” Joe Allison, then president of the alumni association, wrote in a survey seeking for feedback from alumni. It will be difficult to change the name of our school because it has been used since 1891. But when we take into account the advantages of accepting the university name and the present educational scene, we believe it is something to think about.
The majority of respondents to the surveys from alumni, staff, and students agreed that Union should choose a new name.
In the era of internet search engines, Union has tried to set itself apart from three other institutions with the same name and a Union University while attempting to appropriately convey the breadth of the educational options provided. The trustees concluded in unanimity that a name change is essential to Union’s ability to compete, particularly in light of the fact that many other Nebraska and Adventist colleges have long since changed their names.
According to Ben Holdsworth, a professor of religion, “we have advanced to the point where we must acknowledge the fundamental shift in society that recognises that the name ‘university’ holds a higher value than the name ‘college.'”
Why Maintain ‘Union’ and Include ‘Adventist’?
Many stakeholders felt it was crucial that the university’s name continue to emphasise “Union” and its deeper meaning of cooperating for a greater purpose because of the institution’s lengthy history and brand awareness among graduates and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This enables marketing campaigns to build on a recent rebranding utilising the Union shield rather than starting over with a new name and brand recognition.
The Seventh-day Adventist Church owns and runs the school, which has a strong Christian-based atmosphere. A number of medical programmes that emphasise helping those in need, an international rescue and relief programme that teaches students to serve in developing countries, and a tradition of honouring international volunteers and missionaries through an annual golden cords ceremony are all examples of how Union has always been in line with the church’s mission to serve the world.
The nursing and physician assistant (PA) programmes at Union collaborate to offer a recurring foot clinic at a neighbourhood soup kitchen. As part of their training, PA students volunteer and do clinical rotations at nearby free clinics. At the Good Neighbour Centre, business students offer free tax preparation services. Students involved in international rescue and relief (IRR) traverse the nation to assist those affected by natural catastrophes. Every programme offered reflects the confluence of learning, service, and faith.
The president of Union, Vinita Sauder, said, “We teach our students to see the bigger picture and find ways to solve problems, alleviate suffering, and make the world a better place through God’s love.”
Sauder emphasised that the promise made by the college in its tagline—that anybody can discover their God-given purpose and realise their potential—will not be affected by a name change. Students of all religions are invited to join our campus family at Union, which promotes a Christian environment and philosophy.
Timeline
Although there are still many specifics to iron out, Union’s leadership anticipates starting the behind-the-scenes work right away, according to school officials. To give the campus enough time to adjust and to prevent misunderstanding among potential students who have already started the admissions process, they stated that the new name would formally change in May 2024.
