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Houston Baptist University Changes Name

Discussion in 'Baptist Colleges & Seminaries' started by KenH, Sep 22, 2022.

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  1. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    “Houston Christian University more accurately epitomizes our student body and reflects the faculty, staff, alumni, and community we serve,” school president Robert B. Sloan said in a statement, per the Houston Chronicle. “We are committed to being a distinctively Christian university that welcomes all Christians to benefit from our excellent academic programs. This historic university appeals to people all across the spectrum of Christian denominational life, and this new name clarifies who we are.”

    - Division 1 School Announces It's Changing Its Name (msn.com)
     
    #1 KenH, Sep 22, 2022
  2. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    When this happens it means enrollment is dropping and they are looking to expand their draw beyond denominational lines.
     
    #2 AustinC, Sep 22, 2022
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Not in this case.

    Undergraduate Fall Semester Enrollment:

    2013 2,171
    2014 2,288
    2015 2,250
    2106 2,332
    2017 2,316
    2018 2,321
    2019 2,632
    2020 2,733
    2021 2,780
     
    #3 KenH, Sep 22, 2022
  4. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    Those are quite small numbers for a University. I see the name change as a marketing strategy to grow enrollment. In business, staying stagnant is not a good thing. Market growth is the objective. In this case a name change might be perceived as a means of growth and more "inclusive."
     
    #4 AustinC, Sep 22, 2022
  5. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I don't know. I just saw a brief article about it. I have no details. They have been growing in enrollment over the years.
     
    #5 KenH, Sep 22, 2022
  6. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    Not really. They start in the 2000s and stay there. No substantive growth, but a consistent stability.
     
    #6 AustinC, Sep 22, 2022
  7. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    I guess your idea of growth is different than my idea of growth. I consider a 28% increase over eight years to be growth.
     
    #7 KenH, Sep 22, 2022
  8. AustinC

    AustinC Well-Known Member

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    2100 to 2700 in 8 years. It's not a massive increase. I would have to see the university structure and it's expenditure to income. My initial guess is that the University is looking at marketing to increase enrollment.
     
    #8 AustinC, Sep 22, 2022
  9. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    Whatever. Makes no difference to me one way or the other.
     
    #9 KenH, Sep 23, 2022
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    For ANY college to maintain student enrollment today is a blessing.

    This is typical name change to both broaden appeal/base and to reflect the change in appeal/base

    Also, dropping "Baptist" (a pejorative term in the eyes of many today) is common.
     
    #10 Dr. Bob, Nov 7, 2022
    • Informative Informative x 1
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Baptist Bible College (Pa) recently changed their name to Clarks Summit University
    and Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College is now Cornerstone College. Western Baptist Bible is now Corban U. About the only GARB school with the name Baptist would be Faith Baptist in Iowa.
     
    #11 Salty, Nov 7, 2022
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