Dear editor:

It is said that change is a good thing. But only change for the right reason is a good thing. The Northwest College Board of Trustees is considering a resolution to change the name of Northwest College to Yellowstone College. This is not a good thing and must not be permitted to happen.

Northwest has been used to describe the college since 1946 when it was known as the University of Wyoming Northwest Center. The college was then named Northwest Community College in 1951 and finally Northwest College in 1990. Changing the name to Yellowstone College will suddenly cause tens of thousands of Northwest alums to lose their alma mater identity — not a good thing.

The resolution points out there is confusion on the part of people or prospective students mistaking Northwest College for another college with the Northwest name of its title. I imagine it’s a matter of articulating one’s thoughts in speech, print or marketing. It’s also a matter of the confused to stop and think before speaking or acting. There are also over 17 locations in the United States named Wyoming, including the state, so every effort should be made by the college to eliminate any confusion about its location.

Whenever I described Northwest College to relatives, friends or workmates over the years when I lived in New York, Montana, Colorado, Arizona or Utah, I said this: “I attended Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, which is about 70 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. It’s a great college — and close to Yellowstone.” No confusion in that description. Northwest College gets mentioned, Powell gets mentioned and Yellowstone gets mentioned.

This could be the conversation about the college with the name change to Yellowstone College: 

“I attended Yellowstone College in Wyoming.” 

“I didn’t know there was a college in Yellowstone National Park.” 

“Well, it’s not actually in the park but about 70 miles east of the Park.” 

“So why is it called Yellowstone College if it’s not in the park?”

“Well, it’s close to Yellowstone.”

“Oh, I see…”

No mention at all of Powell, Wyoming, and confusing — not a good thing.  

Declining enrollment at the college, which has been flat for five years, is another reason for considering the name change. It’s interesting that I discovered Northwest Community College while researching colleges after graduating high school in Massapequa, New York. This was in the days when there was no internet and one had to go the public library for information on colleges. I read about the college, wrote to the school for information, and read about Powell and Yellowstone. I was convinced.  

I wasn’t alone in discovering Northwest at that time. The college then had a student body from applicants from across the country and internationally. My roommate, who called himself a Persian, was from Iran. Perhaps more effort should be directed to marketing Northwest College nationally and internationally. Recruitment outreach by the college to high schools across the country should be enhanced for potential students. Perhaps an alum referral program can be implemented for one-on-one recruitment efforts for high school seniors.  

Changing the name of the college, in lieu of forward thinking, enhanced marketing, is not a good thing. The City of Powell has benefitted greatly with Northwest College being located there for close to 78 years. Powell is a small, lively city that welcomes the students of Northwest College. There isn’t the “Town and Gown” animosity present in so many college or university cities. The city could work more closely with the college in its marketing efforts. Internships and employment opportunities could be expanded for college students. I was very fortunate to hold various part-time jobs while attending Northwest College. Changing the name to Yellowstone College will not further these cooperative efforts — not a good thing.

Changing names of places and institutions seems to be a current endeavor. Military bases across the southern United States are being renamed away from leaders of the Confederacy, thereby not just wiping out history of the Civil War in the United States, but also wiping out the history of the place where tens of thousands of military service women and men began their military service — not a good thing. The renaming of historic locations in the United States named after or by European explorers, pioneers and settlers is another example of change taking place in the country. Again, this is a move that further wipes out relevant history — not a good thing.

Change for the right reason is a good thing. History is important, not only for those who have lived it but also for future generations. This changing of the name from Northwest College to Yellowstone College will wipe out history for tens of thousands of alumni, and for many in the City of Powell. The city was named for John Wesley Powell, one of the explorers of the West and the Colorado River. The city should honor its history and that of Northwest College, and work more closely with the school. Changing the name is not a good thing, as would changing the name of the City of Powell for political correctness reasons be a good thing.

There is no reason to change the change the name of Northwest College to Yellowstone College when there are many options to help increase awareness of the college and increase student enrollment. Unless, of course, there are individuals wanting this change in order to get their name on a bronze plaque hung somewhere so they can look back and say of the name change, “I did that!.” It’s not a good thing.

Joseph (Joe) Locurto

 NWC ’73, ’76   

Salt Lake City, Utah