After nearly 50 years, one of Colorado’s largest institutions of higher education will adopt a new name on July 1, 2012. Dr. Stephen Jordan, president of the newly named Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU), will be a featured guest on Business Unconventional on Sunday, July 1, to officially mark the changeover.
Metropolitan State College of Denver opened its doors in downtown back in 1965, catering to adults and other commuter students. In the years since, Metro has boomed. It is now one of three schools located on the urban, park-like Auraria Campus, educating more undergraduate Coloradans than another other college or university in the State.
While MSU is a non-profit, taxpayer-supported institution, the decision to rebrand itself is one that has many important lessons for business owners and entrepreneurs alike. Indeed, Dr. Jordan tells co-hosts David Biondo and Dean Rotbart that business considerations were the main impetus for the name change.
Dr. Jordan and his team spent about four years planning and executing the switch. Metro considered various possible names, including Denver Metropolitan State University and Metropolitan Denver State University.
Ultimately, the team selected Metropolitan State University of Denver - which makes it clear that the school has conventional four-year baccalaureate programs as well as graduate studies. The name change was approved by Colorado’s state legislature in March and signed by the Governor in April.
Joining Dr. Jordan in the studio is Cathy Lucas, a key member of the transistion team. She serves the President’s office in marketing and communications.
The school’s new URL is www.MSUDenver.edu.
Photo: MSU's President, Dr. Stephen Jordan
