The school’s name has changed, but it’s sign hasn’t. Photo courtesy: Asia Sott
On July 1, Tallahassee Community College officially became Tallahassee State College.
This is not the first time TSC has gone through a name change. Before it was known as Tallahassee Community College, it was Tallahassee Junior College. The latest name change was approved by the Legislature earlier this year and signed into law by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
TCC was one of the last institutions in the 28-school Florida State College system to officially change their status to a state college, reflecting the increasing number of four-year degrees offered at the school.
While this is a significant milestone for TSC, the campus has yet to show its updated logo. There is no visual representation of such a name change on campus. Before the announcement, the college was keenly aware of this pending name change, which had been proposed and approved by its board of directors, yet there seems to be no sense of urgency to show this great accomplishment on campus.
Amanda Clements, a TSC spokeswoman, reported that the bookstore doesn’t carry any merchandise with the school’s updated name.
“At this time, the bookstore does not have anything with TSC on it,” Clements said. “But by Friday, we should have everything in stock.”
Students and staff have expressed excitement about the new name and the logo design.
Charles Belvin, a freshman biology major, expressed his happiness about TCC becoming a state college; however, he believes that it is done in an “aggressive” manner.
“I’m very happy that it [TSC] became a state college, although, with changes happening to the name, branding has definitely been very aggressive with doing the name change, which kinda makes me feel a bit uncomfortable, but that’s more of a personal preference.”
Belvin says that the color scheme gives a relaxing feeling when entering campus.
Kataryna Willett, Student Life assistant manager, also believes that the name change will not affect the school’s foundation or mission.
“I think our foundation is going to stay the same because that’s just who we are; we are still a community even if it is not in the name of our college,” Willett said.
She was adamant that the foundational values that TSC holds will not change just because of the name change.
Alima Hemenway, mascot coordinator, approved the new logo design.
“I like it. It’s still those same two colors we have, but I guess it’s more of a different pattern for the mascot’s uniform. Which I’m excited to see where it takes us.”
Although there isn’t much disapproval from staff and students for the new name, many wonder why there is such a delay in receiving new merchandise.