Marymount College is changing its name to Marymount California University (MCU) to reflect the gradual transformation of the 45-year-old institution of higher education to a future multisite institution with undergraduate and graduate programs.“The consideration of a name change came as a natural part of a college-wide inquiry in 2012 that included reviews of academic programs, mission, governance and marketing,” said Michael Brophy, Marymount president, stated in a March 22 announcement.Founded in 1968 by the Religious Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary as a two-year coeducational college, Marymount has undergone a transformation in the past five years under lay leadership, including:—the investment of more than $15 million in facilities development, construction and improvement since 2008;—founding of a comprehensive service learning program in 2009; —the addition of four-year degree programs in 2010; —addition of an urban campus in San Pedro in 2011; —admission into the NAIA Cal Pac Athletic Conference in 2012; —addition of graduate degrees in 2013; —and the opening of a Northern California campus (Lake County) in 2013. In the past three years the school’s enrollment has doubled, according to the statement, and it is envisioned that the university will continue to grow and diversify its enrollment through 2020.School officials have set five central goals to support growth: —In the tradition of Catholic higher education, affirm and support a mission of access, personal growth, lifelong learning, service, justice and universal connection.—Continually enhance the support of student learning and success.—Develop and implement viable, relevant new degree programs in a multiyear rollout.—Take fuller advantage of Marymount’s location in California and on the Pacific Rim.—Integrate sustainability into Marymount’s facilities, workforce, operations, curriculum and student experience.“‘Marymount’ remains the core name, preserving the formative and personal experience offered to students for more than four decades,” said the statement announcing the name change. “‘California’ allows the University to embrace its multiple communities along the Pacific Rim, and with new sites and the potential of graduate programs, ‘University’ best describes the current and future Marymount.”Welcoming students of all faiths and backgrounds, the Catholic institution promotes leadership and service to surrounding communities, especially the less fortunate.{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2013/0329/spmarymount/{/gallery}