Name changes of universities do matter, but empowering the community through embracing tradition is equally important.
The Utah Tech University name change, previously named Dixie State University, is one of the most important and controversial changes the university has made in its long history. While some argue that the Dixie name is important to the history of the school, others feel it’s more important to focus on modern inclusivity.
I’ve lived in St. George my entire life, and when the name change idea first started getting thrown around, like many other natives, I wasn’t sold on the idea of changing it. Whether it was ignorance or simply not liking change, I wasn’t ready to see the Dixie name leave.
After reading that the name change was to ensure the success of students and graduates, I was easily convinced. Although I can see the value in tradition, I believe it’s important to give students the best chance they can to achieve success after graduation.
Even though the Dixie in St. George — which was connected to Utahn pioneers —isn’t the same as the South’s Dixie, the word alone can be a red flag in the hiring process for companies that have no connection to the St. George area. I don’t see the harm in eliminating that potential confusion, if it doesn’t eradicate St. George’s Dixie representation as a whole.
The controversy surrounding the name recently arose again. In a recent Salt Lake Tribune article, while attending a Trailblazer game, University President Shane Smeed noticed two people sitting next to each other, one wearing a Utah Tech shirt and one wearing a Dixie State College shirt.
While the name change has been around since 2022, a large group of people still have a lot of school pride connected to Dixie, not just graduates, but the local community. The Defending Southwestern Utah Heritage Coalition has over 5,000 members, many of whom hold strong allegiance to the Dixie name.
Even though I do care about the Dixie name, unlike a lot of the members in the Defending Southwestern Utah Heritage Coalition, I am strongly opposed to the idea of trying to bring back the old name. The university’s focus should be on finding ways to keep alum connected to the university, whether that be through merchandise or events.
In an attempt to embrace heritage, the university began selling merchandise with the old Dixie name.
Smeed mentioned in the Tribune article that while he does approve of the reinstatement of Dixie merchandise, he doesn’t wish to talk about bringing back the old name — a name that divided the campus and local community.
I find myself in agreement with Smeed when it comes to allowing those who value St. George’s Dixie culture, one that is separate from the Confederate Dixie, to celebrate through merchandise. I think it’s an important and easy way to keep Dixie State alum connected to their alma mater.
While I can understand the name change — and fully support keeping the word “Dixie” off of graduates’ diplomas — heritage is important. So yes, I do see the importance of changing the university’s name, but I am appalled at the idea of something like Dixie shirts being such a problem for people that they’d be willing to call for the eradication of Dixie spirit as a whole.
Long-time NAACP President of the Salt Lake Branch Jeanetta Williams said, “It should be done away with completely,” in a Salt Lake Tribune article. Williams, who isn’t a St. George native, seems to have no understanding of what Dixie truly means.
Dixie spirit is important to St. George natives, and erasing that spirit should not be the business of somebody who isn’t from here. I urge the campus community to keep that option to celebrate our roots open. A university’s name on a diploma is one thing, but wearing a shirt is another.
