What do we think of the name "Excelsior" now?

University vs. College

I don't think it matters. At least it didn't to me. Here in Southern California we have a number of small, but well respected, liberal arts colleges, such as: Whittier College, Occidental College, Chapman College, as well as others.

Artistic Merit of Name

I don't think it matters.

Perception of the Public

I think it does matter. When I was considering Excelsior I had the following conversation with two seperate friends:

Friend: I heard you're finally going to finish your degree.

Me: Yea. I found a school that allows you to complete a degree by distance learning.

Friend: What school is it?

Me: It called Excelsior College.

Friend: I never heard of it. Is it one of those ITT Technical Institute type of schools that they advertise on T.V.?

Me: No. It was originally called Regents College. It was founded by the Board of Regents of The University of the State of New York.

Friend: Then why is it called Excelsior now?

Me: Because there was some kind of seperation with the State of New York.

Friend: Are you sure it's legit?

Now, I had to ask myself: "Do I want to spend the rest of my life going through that?"

 

I would prefer the name "Excelsior" to that of "Bellevue", unfortunately. Unfortunate because Bellevue by all accounts is an excellent DL school.

-EB

 

Those are interesting anecdotes regarding the possible questions and/or issues arising from the name "Excelsior." But they don't even begin to tell the entire story. Until someone polls employers in some sort of controlled fashion, we won't really know what the natural reaction to "Excelsior College" is.

 

Sorry. I meant Cornbury, not Cornford.

 

I was initially attracted to Excelsior when it was known as Regents since my diploma came from the University of the State of New York....and that is what my diploma says. I was highly disturbed with the decision to switch to Excelsior.

I can take comfort in one fact though. At least I don't have to put Eureka College on my resume like Ronald Reagan did!

Cy

 

Sherlock Holmes

I like it. It reminds me of something Sherlock Holmes once said:

"There was a period of excitement upon August 26th. We will assume that he is a little hazy as to what he does at such times. If we insist that we are there by appointment I think he will hardly venture to contradict us. Have you the effrontery necessary to put it through?"

"We can but try."

"Excellent, Watson! Compound of the Busy Bee and Excelsior. We can but try---the motto of the firm. A friendly native will surely guide us."

 

International College

Whenever I tell people that I graduated from International College, invariably the first question I always get is:

• " Where is that? "

 

Lemon with that diet coke?

How about a degree from Citrus College? They have DL:

http://www.citruscollege.com/DEC/spring.htm

 

Citrus College, celebrating over 85 years of service, is located in Glendora in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, approximately twenty-five miles northeast of metropolitan Los Angeles. The college has the distinction of being the oldest community college in Los Angeles County and the fifth oldest in the state. This from the website.

That long ago they still had Orange groves... but you would think that being the fifth community college they would have had a better choice in names

The school is about 20 minutes from me. I do have to drive by Mount San Antonio College [another 2 year school in So Cal] to get to it

 

most prestigious non-"University"

John Bear wrote:

> So what's the most prestigious school that is not
> called "University"? My initial thought would be
> Dartmouth.

MIT? Caltech? Eton College for boys?

 

In New York, if you're needing solace, there's Mercy College.

If you're into unix there's Daemen College.

Keuka College might have somthing to do with hand puppets.

If you're actually smart there's Bard College and The Sage College.

 

Not named in vain

New York State flag described:


Emblazoned on a dark blue field is the state coat of arms. The goddess Liberty holds a pole with a Liberty Cap on top. Liberty stands for freedom. At her feet is a discarded crown, representing freedom from England at the end of the revolutionary war. On the right is the goddess, Justice. She wears a blindfold and carries the scales of justice. Meaning that everyone receives equal treatment under the law. The state motto "Excelsior" on a white ribbon expresses the idea of reaching upward to higher goals. On the shield a sun rises over the Hudson highlands and ships sail the Hudson river. Above the shield is an eagle resting on a globe representing the Western Hemisphere.