Houston Baptist University Changes Name

[KenH]

“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)

 

[AustinC]

When this happens it means enrollment is dropping and they are looking to expand their draw beyond denominational lines.

 

[KenH]

When this happens it means enrollment is dropping and they are looking to expand their draw beyond denominational lines.

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

 

[AustinC]

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

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."

 

[KenH]

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."

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.

 

[AustinC]

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.

Not really. They start in the 2000s and stay there. No substantive growth, but a consistent stability.

 

[KenH]

Not really. They start in the 2000s and stay there. No substantive growth, but a consistent stability.

I guess your idea of growth is different than my idea of growth. I consider a 28% increase over eight years to be growth.

 

[AustinC]

I guess your idea of growth is different than my idea of growth. I consider a 28% increase over eight years to be growth.

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.

 

[KenH]

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.

Whatever. Makes no difference to me one way or the other.

 

[Dr. Bob]

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.

 

[Salty]

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.