This week in CMU history: University name change
On Feb. 18, 1955, Central Michigan Life reported on the changing of the name of the university.
The Interim Committee on Higher Education of the state legislature recommended that CMU change its name from Central Michigan College of Education to Central Michigan College. The new name was a result of growth and expansion. The article explained that the increased birthrate alone was expected to increase CMU’s enrollment to between 8,000 and 10,000 by 1970.
When CMU opened in 1892, it was called Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute. It soon became known as Central Michigan Normal School. When it became a four-year college, the name was changed to Central State Teacher’s College.
When the name of the college was changed to Central Michigan College of Education it was because the term “Teacher’s College” no longer accurately covered the scope of the college’s services.
CMU became Central Michigan University in 1959.
