Baldwin-Wallace approves name change

CLEVELAND - Baldwin-Wallace College is changing its name -- slightly. The higher education institution will become Baldwin Wallace University -- no more hyphen (for better search engine optimization) or college reference.

It's a move the Board of Trustees said is "aimed at more accurately reflecting its current structure and the breadth of the institution's academic program offerings."

Trustees voted at their winter meeting to adopt the name change, effective July 1, with complete implementation by the end of this year.

"...The change to university designation more completely conveys who we are today as well as the institution that is emerging for tomorrow," said BW President Durst in a news release. "What will not change is our dedication to the liberal arts as the foundation for a lifetime of learning and our core values. The BW focus on student learning and personal growth, individual attention and exceptional achievement will be unwavering."

The change won't be the first time the Berea campus has worn the "university" name. BW was founded in 1845 as Baldwin Institute and re-chartered 10 years later as Baldwin University. In 1913, Baldwin University merged with neighboring German Wallace College to become Baldwin-Wallace College.

More than 4,100 students are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs at BW.

In related news, on Monday, the university will be announcing its new president at a 12:30 p.m. news conference.