New Name, Who Dis?

Mississippi College has announced that it will change its name and drop its football program. The Mississippi College Board of Trustees has approved an institutional name change, as Mississippi College will become Mississippi Christian University beginning in 2026. The new name emphasizes the school´s status as a comprehensive university while keeping the MC logo and identity. Blake Thompson, the president of the college, stated, “The institutional name change is a strategic decision that reiterates leadership’s commitment to fulfilling the private university’s vision statement – To be known as a university recognized for academic excellence and commitment to the cause of Christ.”

The Board of Trustees has initiated a plan to restructure the academic and athletic programs. The School of Christian Studies and the Arts will be merged with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the School of Education will be renamed the School of Education and Human Science. The athletic department will also undergo a strategic realignment.

Mississippi College has made the difficult decision to discontinue its football program. While this move has generated controversy, it will enable the College to prioritize Division II play across its 17 remaining sports and invest in necessary facility upgrades. Many people are upset that the decision was made without letting former players and coaches know beforehand. This decision leaves 105 football players, coaches, and their families to find new homes. The football team has brought tradition and history to the school over the last 117 years. This decision is unfortunate, but the school’s position is that football is very expensive, and they would like to commit to excellence in the remaining 17 sports and facility upgrades. The football team costs the school nearly 1.8 million dollars annually, which they feel could be used in other respects.

What does this mean for the Law School?

Mississippi College School of Law's name change will not go into effect until 2026. The law school's name will be changed to Mississippi Christian University School of Law, but the school will still be referred to as “MC Law.” The logo and other branding will not change. Many worry that the school's limited recognition beyond Mississippi could hinder its reputation and opportunities. People for years have always known the law school as “MC Law” and many worry that the name change will hinder marketing and fundraising. While many people have growing concerns about the name change, the memories of the great professors, friends, and classmates will never change, and that is all that matters.