Maysville Community and Technical College is considering changing its name to reflect a more regional presence, officials said Tuesday.
"Names have meaning and they are important in how others perceive us," said MCTC President Dr. Stephen Vacik. "Sometimes ... they change in order to better define who and what we are. That does not negate the past or change the essence of someone’s or something’s character."
Vacik said a name change can signify the process of growth and evolution.
"This is the place that we find our college," he said.
Founded in 1968, Maysville Community College originally served a much smaller area from its single campus in Maysville, Vacik said. It has since grown, merging with Rowan Technical College and joining the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in 2001 and expanding to include the Licking Valley Campus in Harrison County, and the Montgomery County Campus two years ago.
"Our college -- which began as a local dream, serving the students of Maysville -- has now expanded into a regional institution with a greatly expanded mission. Our name no longer reflects accurately who we are or what (I believe) we hope to become for future generations. The time has come to envision a change," Vacik said.
A name change has been discussed by employees, the board, regents and the KCTCS office, according to MCTC spokesperson Pam McClone.
With Maysville identified in the name, some people think you have to drive to Maysville to attend MCTC, McClone said.
"It keeps coming up as far as recruitment," she said.
Vacik acknowledged that changing the name of what is considered a local institution is likely to result in some backlash.
"There will be some folks who will immediately dismiss the idea of a name change, and may even be cross with me for suggesting such a thing," he said. He said while concerns are legitimate, they are out-weighed by potential benefits.
"The reality is that with the application of technology to instruction and personnel shared across the college, campus boundaries have already become blurred," Vacik said." At our college, we rely upon each other to survive and meet the needs of the communities within the region. The success of the Maysville Campus is dependent on the other three and vice-versa."
"The future for Maysville, as well as our college, is to think regionally, whether it is economic development or education. A name change would go a long way in convincing all of our communities that we stand together for the future success of northeast Kentucky," Vacik said.
The MCTC president said initial response to the idea of a name change has been positive.
Before any change is undertaken, the college would consider suggestions, solicit community input and conduct open forums, McClone said. A preliminary goal would be to have the name change in place by the time the college celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2018, she said.
Vacik said he will keep the community informed as the process moves forward.
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