Rockford College to become Rockford University

The 165-year-old liberal arts school will change its name on July 1.

The Rockford Register Star (http://bit.ly/RA8FW2 ) reports that trustees unanimously approved the name change on Saturday; faculty and staff were notified via e-mail Tuesday afternoon.

College President Robert Head says the switch is part of efforts to better describe the type of higher education the school provides and better appeal to prospective international students.

Rockford College began in 1847 as Rockford Female Seminary. It later became Rockford College, and the college became coeducational in 1958.