Troy State University, which counts many Butler Countians in its alumni roster, is currently considering a change of its name.

If approved by the its board of trustees, Troy State University would become Troy University.

According to the TSU system chancellor, Dr. Jack Hawkins, the new name would signify the university’s global reach and increase marketing appeal for the school’s image.

This is not the first time the school has undergone a name change. In fact, five times in its history Troy State has changed its name.

Recently, the TSU Alumni Association gave its approval to the change.

We like the idea as well.

For too long, Troy State has been considered the "country college" cousin to the state's bigger universities.

Yet, throughout the state, country and the world, the Troy State name can be found.

Campuses are located in Europe, Cuba and in many other countries.

This name change comes about of the "One Great University" plan.

Under that plan, all of those branches would consolidate under the control of a central administration based just some 40 miles from the Greenville city limits.

There are the naysayers, however, we believe Hawkins and the board will put the best interests of the university first.

Some of our top officials locally and at the state level are TSU graduates.

Most recently, Gov. Bob Riley's attorney general appointee, Troy King, is an alumni of Troy State.

As it continues now, Troy State provides a quality education, and strives for continuous improvement.

In the coming years, we believe it will steadily grow, which will make it an even stronger marketing tool.

So yes, Troy University is the cousin of the state's largest schools, but it has a reputation for being the university where the sun never sets.

This change will simply reinforce this fact.