New Brunswick’s Atlantic Baptist University (ABU) is changing its name to Crandall University in hopes of attracting a more diverse pool of applicants in the coming years.
“Through the name change, the university is seeking to overcome perception issues that continuously distort people’s understanding of the university,” said ABU president Brian MacArthur.
Although ABU’s Act of Incorporation states the institution welcomes individuals of all denominations, MacArthur said it is a commonly held perception that students have to be Baptist to attend.
“The greater number [of students] have enthusiastically embraced the change, some are neither for nor against, and some are sad to see the name change because of their identity and great affinity with ABU,” MacArthur said.
Despite its’ small size, ABU is an important landmark in New Brunswick and the school wanted the name change to be done in harmony with the church.
“The Board of Governors voted in February 2009 to change the name but wanted its decision endorsed by the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches as a major stakeholder group in the university’s success,” MacArthur said. “The Convention gave its enthusiastic endorsement in August.”
ABU’s history is coloured by religious developments in the province. Therefore the new name had to have the same, yet more subtle, religious association.
“Rev. Joseph Crandall (1771-1858) was the patriarch of Baptist work in New Brunswick,” MacArthur said. “Through his efforts many churches were established in the province.”
“Besides preaching, Rev. Crandall was a successful farmer, served for a brief time as an MLA in the New Brunswick legislature, was appointed the first president of the New Brunswick Baptist Educational Society, and was one of the founders of Acadia University – a university established by the Baptist denomination with the conviction that it would admit all students regardless of their religious affiliation.”
While the university’s name won’t be legally changed until New Brunswick’s Act of Incorporation is revised, MacArthur said he sees the change as a positive step forward in furthering religious education.
“Crandall University is a small and welcoming university with a strong reputation for academic excellence,” MacArthur said. “In particular, it is an ideal choice for students who want to develop an understanding of how their faith integrates with their chosen discipline of study, thus combing intellectual, spiritual and social growth to become a more holistic individual.”
In lieu of changing its name, the university will be commencing a capital campaign to expand enrolment and the curriculum in preparation for the anticipated influx of students applying in the future.