Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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The Kansas Legislature approved the latest name change to Fort Hays State University (1977) Several suggestions for a new college name ranged from the University of Western Kansas 1 M University of the Great Plains ' and Fort Hays State University ' The latter won approval by the Board of Regents, but not before meet- ing with student controversy. This is ridiculous! Why change our name? one stu- dent argued. I happen to think it’s a good name as is. If the students and faculty are so immature and insecure about the name of the college they attend, then I strongly suggest either they look for a college whose name they like better, or be happy with the one we have now 1 For the most part, however, student support was high. In an election Oct, 8-9, 1975, the student body favored the name change by 76.7 per cent. 18 Fort Hays State Hi s to ry

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Eight years later, in 1931, when the name was again changed — to Fort Hays Kansas State College — there was some controversy over reinstating the Fort Hays part of the name. One student commented in an opinion poll taken by the State College Leader that the new name sounds like a battlefield.” Others complained that the addition of Fort Hays made the name too long, but according to Geneva Herndon, faculty emeritus, They viewed it as an advance. People were glad for the removal of the word ‘teachers’ from the title, particularly since at that time, many students weren’t studying to be teachers.” “The significance of the change of name is this. Our class is that of any of the universities and colleges of the Mis- sissippi valley,” said President Lewis in a 1931 address to students. Fort Hays Kansas State College now gives the same degrees as would be obtained elsewhere and the courses offered are practically the same.’ ' Ironically, students in 1975 used the same arguments to promote the change from Fort Hays Kansas State College to Fort Hays State University. In a letter-to-the-editor printed in the State College Leader, Ed Barker, then president of the graduate class, listed reasons supporting the proposed change. He said that university status would aid in job place- ment; increase total enrollment; identify us as separate from junior and community colleges and add prestige. He added that Fort Hays State met all requirements for a university and is “far more worthy than many schools with that title. t 2 A. 1 . Because of the rural background of many early students, agri- 3 11 culture was stressed. 2 . An early orchesis group. 3 . Architect ' s drawing ot proposed W. A, Lewis memorial campanile — never built. 4 . The college campus of the future as envisioned by William Lewis, President 1913-1933, Fort Hays State History 1 7

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Response from alumni was also favorable, As 1 see it, as an institution grows, its name has to reflect that growth. Personally I like the name as it stands and I am pleased to be an alumnus, said Mrs. Fred Gleue. But if by good fortune it should outgrow the status that name implies, then I think we should be happy for it and accept the change gracefully, she added. On October 15, 1976. the Kansas Board of Regents voted unanimously to ask the state legislature to change the name of the state colleges to universities, and on April 21 , 1977 a bill was passed to change the three state colleges to Fort Hays State University, Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University. Western Kansas needs a focal point — a center about which it can unite educationally and culturally ' said Or, Ger- ald Tomanek, college president. As a university, Fort Hays State wifi be in a better position to provide this kind of leader- ship. Western Branch, Normal School, Teachers College, College, University — What ' s in a name? A lot of history. 3 | 4 1- Boating on Big Creek, President Lewis is at Ihe far right. 2, 3 — g and 4. Classroom candids from 1914. 6. ' The Normal Jitney” carried 25 students and was used as a traveling classroom and a means of transportation for picnics, outings and trips to surrounding towns. Fori Hays State History 1 9