When the institution that became Carroll College was started in 1839, it was called Prairieville Academy and there were just six students. Today, Carroll has more than 3,300 students and more than 60 areas of study, and offers four undergraduate and four graduate degrees, including a clinical doctorate in physical therapy.

To reflect what Carroll has become, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously that effective July 1, 2008, we will be named Carroll University.

Why are we changing our name? Simply, it’s truth in advertising. Based on our wide array of academic programs, we are already classified as a university by national organizations. We believe the name Carroll University will help us recruit non-traditional, graduate, distance-learning and international students. Programs for these types of students have been shown to provide support for the core traditional Carroll Experience for undergraduate students.

In September 2007, we launched a wide-ranging discussion about the possibility of changing our name to Carroll University. From the very beginning, our intention was to hold a deliberate and inclusive discussion that would give all of Carroll’s constituents multiple opportunities to ask questions, make suggestions and give their opinions.

Our efforts were successful. Carroll has sent a total of nearly 112,000 messages about the name study to about 26,800 constituents. In addition, the issue has been discussed on campus and with stakeholders around the country. We thank those of you who took advantage of the feedback option on our Web site. We read every comment.

The transition will be phased. As this process evolves, we will keep you informed. If you have questions, go to our feedback form at http://www.cc.edu/about/namechange/, where you also will find more information.

I can assure you that the values espoused by Carroll’s founders and the hallmarks of the Carroll Experience – teaching excellence, small classes, committed faculty and staff, and individual attention – will continue.

Yours in the Carroll spirit,
William G. Laatsch ’60
Chairman
Carroll College Board of Trustees