What's in a name? Quite a bit, really

The "campus" part of the name appears to be on the way out, but McCook's representatives on the Mid-Plains Board of Governors are still not certain what the college division in McCook is going to be called in the future.

After attending a board of governors' retreat Wednesday night in North Platte, Harold Bennett and Dale Poore told the Gazette they have mixed emotions about the discussion.

"For a while, it looked good for the McCook Community College name," they said. "Kent Miller (a board member from North Platte) came up with a plan which called for McCook Community College, North Platte Community College and Mid-Plains Community College to be the titles for the three main attendance centers for the Mid-Plains College Area," they said. In a straw poll, this plan drew 8-3 support from the board.

But, following discussion generated by a suggestion from Rick Kolkman of North Platte (an at-large board member), the board decided to delay action and look into hiring a consultant and having a contest to find a new name for the college area. Instead of "Mid-Plains," such titles as "High Plains," "Great Plains," "Sandhills," "Platte River" and "West Central" have been mentioned as possibilities.

At this point, however, it does not appear the area board will have the naming issue resolved by the Sept. 25 board meeting as originally planned.

Even so, Bennett and Poore continue to hold hope that McCook can return to the McCook Community College name or something fairly close to that.

Time will tell. From the perspective of McCook and Southwest Nebraska, the name of the entire college area is not a point of contention.

The name Mid-Plains is fine; as would be several of the other names under consideration. Over the years, the friction between McCook and North Platte has lessened; and residents of this region are grateful for the area-wide support.

However, for purposes of heritage, fund-raising and pride, is is important to friends and alumni of Nebraska's oldest junior college that the title, "McCook Community College," be restored and honored as the name.

By honoring member institutions in McCook, North Platte and other locations with proud and dignified names, the area board will enhance the entire college area.

What's in a name? When it comes to McCook Community College, the answer -- resoundingly -- is a great deal. We are proud of the college's past and present, and we look forward to joining together under the MCC banner for years to come.

Once again, we urge the Mid-Plains Area board to restore the McCook Community College name.