From College to Plymouth State University
Plymouth State College thrived from 1963 all the way to 2003. Nationwide, college enrollment peaked in 2007, and Plymouth was not immune to the incredible growth of students interested in obtaining a degree. By then, so many undergraduates were studying that programs were expanding and new degrees were being offered. Plymouth had grown to the size of a university in all but name.
A Quarter Every Time You Said College
The transition from college to university began in 2001 when Donald P. Whorton, then president of Plymouth State College, asked the Student Senate what they thought about an official name change from Plymouth State College to Plymouth State University. The student leadership voted and the vote went 22-1 in favor of the name change, the first huge step in what would become a 3-year-long process.
The next part of the change would take place in April 2002 when President Wharton would make his first presentation to the USNH trustees in support of changing the name. Later in the Plymouth magazine, President Wharton would acknowledge some feedback that he got from some students. Many people said they would come to Plymouth because the University Degree would mean more. President Wharton personally said these three things. It would achieve higher recognition since the change to college back in 1963. Increase the school's competitive advantage against other schools trying to get international students. And as the students said, enhance the value of the Plymouth degree.
Finally, July 17th, 2003, Plymouth official changed its name to Plymouth State University after legislature passed Bill 113. This bill was quickly put into place on August 16th, 2003. Although Plymouth was officially a University on August 16th, President Wharton stated that he believed Plymouth was a university before the name change. Plymouth was offering and continues to offer ever expanding bachelor's degrees, and the large graduate division.
Now with Plymouth State University making headlines, people wondered if school life would change in this seemingly big change. But as our interviewees stated, campus life was lively. People seemed to love this change, and it even brought in more teachers. The best part about the change was that Plymouth was finally getting the recognition it deserved. One of the biggest impacts from the name change was the graduate programs. At this point in time during 2003 they were pretty new. People started to look at those classes as, if you are interested, then take it. This would help the school grow and gain 1000+ students in a very short amount of time. There were so many students that they would need to rent rooms in the motels not far from campus!
Overall, the name change achieved everything that President Wharton wanted. There were excellent growth and recognition, Plymouth was a lot more known, and the degree meant a lot more to people. Faculty seemed to enjoy this time because there were many new ways to teach, classes, more research methods, and new technology to do it with. It is rumored that Wharton would charge you a quarter every time you mis-titled PSU. Just make sure to call the school Plymouth State University, or you might have to pay the president a quarter.
