Name Change: Regions is now Amridge

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Jason D. Baker, Feb 6, 2008.

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  1. Jason D. Baker

    Jason D. Baker New Member

    I received word that Regions University (formerly Southern Christian University) has changed its name to Amridge University effective January 31, 2008. They noted that the name change didn't constitute a change in nonprofit status, ownership, management, institutional mission, or program offerings. For those unfamiliar with Amridge (nee Regions nee SCU nee Alabama Christian School of Religion), they've been one of more progressive Christian universities when it comes to embracing distance learning, offering numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees online.

    Jason

    _______________________
    Baker's Guide to Christian Distance Education
     
  2. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    Is this because, in the short history of the "Regions" name, others have proven to dislike this name as much as I have?

    In all reality, "Ambridge" sounds like a bit of a poser name. What school did you go to? I went to "Arvard", did my master's at "Tanford" and my doctorate at "Ambridge". Perhaps I'm being a little critical.
     
  3. Joe Certification

    Joe Certification New Member

    Agree that the new name is a bit odd. While I am not ready to carte blanche embrace the notion of a "poser name", I must confess that I can think of no better angle than the one you present. Frankly, the best name they have used was the one prior to Regions. Southern Christian University, I believe, had a nice ring to it.
     
  4. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    I should clarify that I am well enough acquainted with the institution formerly known as SCU/Regions to know that it certainly is no poser school. They are exceedingly legitimate and offer a range of excellent programs. I have been astounded by how the quality of their distance learning offerings has continued to increase over the last decade. I want to be careful not to communicate any degree of disrespect toward what they are doing academically. Thus, I didn't mean to imply that the folks at "Ambridge" were posers.

    However, one can't help but note that the new name does have that sort of ring to it. I would hate for this to detract from the school's many excellent qualities in any way.
     
  5. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    I never understood what was so bad about "Southern Christian University".
     
  6. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Well, I understand that the very regional-sounding Southern Christian University wanted to go ye into all the regions of the world (so becoming Regions), but did they say why this new name change? Who or what is an Ambridge?
     
  7. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    Yes, I suspect that the former name change took place in much the same reason that many Southern Baptist pastors in New Hampshire wish their denomination would consider a name change.

    I also would be interested to know the background of "Ambridge" for this Christian institution. Jesus said, "I am the way", "I am the truth", "I am the life," "I am the gate", but never "I am the bridge." Hm. Perhaps there is another explanation.
     
  8. Vincey37

    Vincey37 New Member

    Exactly. Directions never hurt Northwestern University. Or Northeastern. Or Southern California. Or Southern Methodist :rolleyes:
     
  9. Jason D. Baker

    Jason D. Baker New Member

    Not to be too picky, but the new name is Amridge not Ambridge. I don't know the origins or meaning of the name in relation to the university, but there's been a lot of discussion on this thread about an incorrect name. Personally, I still prefer Southern Christian University.

    Jason

    _______________________
    Baker's Guide to Christian Distance Education
     
  10. Joe Certification

    Joe Certification New Member

    Now that is funny! I plead guilty to basing my discussion on an erroneous name!
     
  11. Joe Certification

    Joe Certification New Member

    Now that is funny! I plead guilty to basing my discussion on an erroneous name!
     
  12. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    It's hard to see what the origin of the name "Amridge" could be.

    - A check of intelius.com lists exactly two people nationwide with the name "Amridge" (neither of them in Georgia or the South).

    - The US Geological Survey database of geographical names has no listings for "Amridge" (there are places named "Ambridge", but not "Amridge").

    - Wikipedia comes up blank for "Amridge" (except as the new name of Regions).

    - No obvious insights in Google either (although it seems to be someone's eBay user name, and is sometimes listed as an apparent typo for "Ambridge").

    So it wouldn't surprise me if "Amridge" is just a totally fabricated random name.
    Although if this is the case, it doesn't strike me as a particularly catchy one.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 7, 2008
  13. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    Why change the name?

    A quick web search showed this article which states that "According to an email issued by university president Dr. Rex. Turner Jr., the name change comes due to ongoing litigation over the use of the name “Regions” which the university adopted in the fall of 2006."
     
  14. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    Jason,

    Oops! Sorry. Thanks for pointing that out. My bad! I should read more closely. Please know that everything stated above was meant entirely in fun.
     
  15. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    How about "Alabama Christian University"? It's worked pretty well for TCU.
     
  16. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    So who objected to the use of the name "Regions University" ? Perhaps it was "The Regions College" in Malaysia.

    In any case, they should be on safer ground with a name like "Amridge University", since the word "Amridge" seems to be about as unused as it is possible to get.
     
  17. airtorn

    airtorn Moderator

    The Regions Asset Company - A lawsuit was filed on September 29, 2006 for trademark infringement.
     
  18. roudabua

    roudabua New Member

    Thanks for clearing that up, Airtorn. I'd sort of assumed that "Regions" was too close to "Regents" (Pat Robertson's school) - interesting that the problem was with a non-educational entity.

    I've been a student at SCU/Regions/Amridge since early 2005, and got the formal e-mail about the most recent name change sometime last week. I don't know what the rationale was behind the choice of a name (which I agree is entirely too close to "Cambridge" and makes it sound like a poser school, which it isn't), but wish they would just go back to "Southern Christian University." I admit that my first thought when I got the e-mail was that God wasn't happy that His name had been changed :)

    That said, SCU by any name is a wonderful school. I'm a part-time student in one of their M.A. programs, and the quality of instruction is outstanding and the school is small enough that you're a name and not a number.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 10, 2008
  19. PatsFan

    PatsFan New Member

    I have been especially impressed with their Ph.D in Family Therapy. I thought this was an interesting disclaimer on their "about Amridge University" page:

    Note: Amridge University is an academic institution, not a church. Bible classes at Amridge University are not worship or devotional services, but an educational environment for interaction between student and teacher.

    http://www.amridgeuniversity.edu/au_aboutamridgeu.html#Mission
     
  20. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    An asset company can sue a university for having the same first name? Only a fool would be unable to tell the difference between an asset company and a university. The judge should have tossed the idiots from Regions Asset Company and their attorneys in jail for filing a scurrilous lawsuit.
     

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