The Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees voted unanimously Thursday to change the name of Castleton State College to Castleton University.
David Wolk, president of Castleton, says the name change is part of a plan to expand the school’s programs and increase enrollments by attracting more international students.
Wolk has said the name change reflects the school’s broadened mission. Castleton now offers graduate-level courses, operates an art museum and hosts a polling center. A doctoral program will be launched in 2016.
The school, located near Rutland, is part of the Vermont State Colleges system, which includes Community College of Vermont, Johnson State College, Lyndon State College and Vermont Technical College. Castleton will be the only school in the system with a university moniker.
Jeb Spaulding, chancellor, has said said that branding Castleton as a small public university “would help us to be more comprehensive.”
“Part of our future is to let Vermonters and others know what a deep and quality educational offering we have throughout our system, and this could be part of that,” Spaulding said.
The name changes goes into effect immediately.
