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Southwest Missouri State University will get a new name. The House approved the name change by a vote of and sent the bill to the governor's desk. KSMU has team coverage with Missy Shelton in Jefferson City and Mike Smith in Springfield.
Much of the debate focused on the economic impact the name change will have on Southwest Missouri and by extension, the entire state.
Representative John Kuessner of South Central Missouri argued the name change will give Missouri an edge in attracting businesses to the state.
The bill had bi-partisan support and bi-partisan opposition.
But Democratic opponents of the name change had their own way of attacking the bill.
They criticized Republican Governor Matt Blunt for pushing for the name change when there are other issues lawmakers need to address.
Jeff Harris of Columbia is the House Democratic Leader.
Bill supporters including Governor Blunt have said the bill is an important policy issue for higher education that will attract out of state students and businesses.
The bill now goes to Governor Blunt's desk'He has said he'll sign it.
I'm Missy Shelton for KSMU News.
I'm Mike Smith for KSMU News.
News that SMS will become MSU quickly spread across the SMS campus Tuesday.
SMS President John Keiser and Governor Matt Blunt announced news of the name change to a crowd of about 250 students, staff, faculty, city officials and boosters.
As Dr. Keiser was preparing for the news conference, he told KSMU that the legislature's passing of the name change bill was a team effort and will be good for the entire state of Missouri.
Governor Matt Blunt, a longtime supporter of the name change said SMS becoming MSU will be of benefit academically and economically.
The successes of the university's sports program have made many parts of the country aware and respectful of SMS but a nostalgic Athletics Director Bill Rowe says he welcomes the name change.
Bill Rowe says SMS Athletics like every other department at the university has a lot of work to do in preparation for the name change.
Governor Blunt says he will sign the SMS name change on or near the university's centennial anniversary March 17.
For KSMU News, I'm Mike Smith.
