MARIETTA—Washington State College of Ohio has received approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to change its name to Washington State College of Ohio.
The decision to change the college’s name came as a result of Washington State expanding its mission with the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s approval to offer baccalaureate degrees. Washington State now offers a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). “A community college traditionally offers associate degree and certificate programs. The new name reflects the change in the college’s mission,” said Washington State President Dr. Vicky Wood.
This is the fourth name change for the institution that began as Washington Technical Institute in 1971 and updated to Washington Technical College in 1972. Then in 1990, with a new mission to offer associate of science and associate of arts transfer degrees, the college was renamed Washington State College of Ohio. “After seeking input from our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and members of the community, it was agreed that maintaining our ties to the community by keeping Washington in our name was important,” said Wood. She went on to say that adding ‘of Ohio’ will help clarify that the college is located in Ohio and not in the northwestern part of the United States. The college’s previous name caused challenges for student applicants and prospective employee applicants who assumed the college was located in the state of Washington.
Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner, who was instrumental in helping the college expand its mission, made the announcement today. “I am pleased to support and officially approve WSCO’s renaming request to Washington State College of Ohio,” said Gardner. “During my time as Chancellor, this college has proven to be a leader in educating and training the future workforce of Southeast Ohio, and I’m confident it will continue to do so.”
Wood said that the college will continue to utilize the name Washington State College of Ohio while it develops its new brand. “We anticipate the transition to our new name to take some time. This change impacts every facet of the college from our website, to facilities, and all of our collaterals. It will be a process that will require involvement of a wide array of people, both internally and externally.” The college anticipates to embrace its new name in the new year.
“We’ve had a lot of positive changes on our campus and a new name rounds the year out nicely. One thing is for certain, Washington State has served the Mid-Ohio Valley for more than 50 years and that will not change. Now more than ever, we will remain this community’s college focused on preparing students for careers of the future while meeting the demands of our local workforce,” assured Wood.
WSCO Board of Trustees Chairman David Vandenberg expressed the board’s appreciation for faculty and staff’s commitment to the institution and its students and credited them with elevating the institution. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees at Washington State, I would like to extend our thanks to the team for all of the recent advances and progress at the college. The name change represents a milestone in history of the institution,” said Vandenberg. “Washington State College is committed to continue to grow and adapt to the future needs of our students and employers”
