Augustana president confirms name change

Augustana College is getting a new name.

The private higher education institution at 2001 S. Summit Ave. will become Augustana University next month, marking a pivotal moment for the school as it tries to attract new students and capitalize on campus growth, college President Rob Oliver said Friday.

“The name Augustana University, I would say, much better represents Augustana as an institution, today,” Oliver said.

The name change takes effect Sept. 1.

With the new moniker, Augustana officials hope to increase student enrollment and emphasize recently added programs and plans for facilities such as a new science building and student activities center.

Much like other private liberal arts colleges, the Sioux Falls campus has struggled to attract incoming freshmen, Davidson said.

Total enrollment, including grad programs, has decreased over recent years, but increased slightly to 1823 last fall.

“It’s a struggle in terms of undergraduate enrollment," Davidson said. “We are among those having problems."

Oliver said enrollment for 2015 appeared flat.

Staff at the Sioux Falls campus posted a "frequently asked questions" web page for the name change, but was taken down Friday.

Augustana student Bryson Hamilton said he liked the idea of a name change. But the 20-year-old business student also raised a valid question.

“What’s the difference between a college and a university?” Hamilton said.

For Augustana, adding “university” to its title helps in a number of ways, Oliver said. It’s a more recognizable term for international students, and it reflects the growing number of offerings and programs available to students.

“This is a great, important announcement of our institution and all those who love and care about Augustana,” Oliver said.

Al Phommyuong, a former student, said it would be hard to see Augustana College become Augustana University, and not just because it means new logos for all of the apparel.

“I think it’s kind of weird, actually,” Phommyuong said.

The 20-year-old Sioux Falls resident is accustomed to the old name, even if some think a university is “bigger and better,” she said.

But 21-year-old student Laura Tinker liked the idea of the bigger-sounding name. It’s fitting, she said.

“Over the period I’ve been here, they’ve been making so many changes to campus,” said the math and computer science student. “I think more people should know about the place. It’s a very great school.”

In recent years, Augustana has added numerous graduate programs and student resources such as the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

In June, the college announced Pam Homan, retired superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District, would serve as the center’s executive director.

School officials plan to open a $35 million science facility in 2016. The Froiland Science Complex will allow Augustana to increase its degree programs and courses for students, Oliver said.

The website also mentioned a new 125,000-square-foot student activities center, to be built across from the Elmen Center. Oliver said a cost estimate for the center was not yet available.

The name change means altering campus signs, swapping out logos and creating new t-shirts. But even some things will remain unchanged.

Email addresses will stay the same, as will the school’s website, www.augie.edu.

So will Augustana’s goals for its students and community, Oliver said.

“I would say that our mission is expanding in that we seek to serve more students,” Oliver said. “But our underlying mission and values have not changed at all.”