Should We Rename Stanford?

Colleges & Universities Stanford University
1

<p>In 1891, Mr. Leland Stanford founded Leland Stanford Junior University as a memorial for his beloved son, Mr. Leland Stanford Junior who passed away in 1884 from typhoid.</p>

<p>After 121 years later, now in 2012, Leland Stanford Junior University was more commonly referred as Stanford University, on the web, magazines, and in most media reports. Even Stanford itself used the name “Stanford University” on their official website instead of “Leland Stanford Junior University”. Evidence proved the public recognizes the brand “Stanford University” much more than “Leland Stanford Junior University”.</p>

<p>I admire Mr. Leland Stanford for his great love and commitment he has given to his beloved son, Mr. Leland Stanford Junior, by using his whole fortune on building a university for him. And I believe the name on the seal of this university is not the key thing that had made us remember Mr. Leland Stanford and his son’s dedication to Stanford for many years. It is the quality of education and research, and the spirit to strive for excellence, that allowed the Stanford family to be honored and respected for generations.</p>

<p>As Stanford University grows and expands, it is important to have a simpler name for the international world. And as the name “Stanford University” was so much more well known and recognized by the public compared to the name “Leland Stanford Junior University”, why don’t we rename Stanford’s official name, and give it a more cleaner and shorter name?</p>

<p>I believe the name “Stanford University” holds just as much meaning to Mr. Leland Stanford, as the long one. May I sincerely, ask the school authorities of Stanford to seek the opinions of Stanford students, to consider renaming “Leland Stanford Junior University” to “Stanford University". As to adhere the tradition of innovation and to show the world, Stanford is more, than an individual’s work.</p>

<p>For the best of Stanford and all,
Anonymous</p>

2

<p>Since “Leland Stanford Junior University” is so uncommon and rarely ever used, there’s no need to rename the school - “Stanford University” is by far the most recognizable, so making a new “official” name would only serve to diminish the reasons for the university’s founding, not make the university better in any way. The consequences of renaming it are either nonexistent or insignificant. Either way, there’s no point in renaming it today.</p>

3

<p>Totally agree. I have a problem with the “Junior” part. Makes it sound like a junior college, which is what we called 2-year community colleges years ago.</p>

4

<p>I don’t recall seeing Stanford’s logo/letterhead, etc, but to make this change would cost the university actually a fair amount of money for nothing but “housekeeping” benefits.</p>

<p>Are there living Stanford’s now would have a family interest in the name of the university?</p>

5

<p>More than 30 years ago, my best high school friend and I had both applied to Stanford. On April 1st, I received a worried phone call: “Did you get a letter from Stanford? Look at it. Does yours say ‘junior univeristy’ too? Good. I thought I got accepted to the junior college.”</p>

<p>I don’t have a problem with the name. Governor Stanford and his wife wanted to honor the memory of their only child. Arguably the world’s greatest university, it’s a fitting memorial.</p>