Name change to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

It was the Fall of 1997, and North Adams State College President Thomas Aceto was looking to improve the school’s popularity, escape the party school scene, enhance the school’s academic reputation, and also build a stronger identity within the community. To accomplish this, he changed the college’s name to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) on August 20, 1997. The rebrand effectively showcased the college’s mission of providing quality public education in the field of liberal arts.

For decades, North Adams State College had been one of the Berkshires' most prominent locations for higher education. However, changing with the times, the college administrators cited a need to evolve the college with new ideas and a new identity. The name change allowed for MCLA to become the first college in Massachusetts to use ‘Liberal Arts’ in its name. The ‘Liberal Arts’ name is consistent with the school's purpose of trying to encourage students to think critically and creatively, with high levels of interdisciplinary study. The name change and rebrand immediately had positive effects with MCLA taking a leap in national education rankings just after the first few months.

While the name change was generally viewed as popular and a good idea by students and faculty on campus, many community members disagreed with the name change citing that taking out the city name would cause the city to lose or abandon its historic roots. College leaders were left to reassure the public that North Adams and its history would not be lost and the city would remain a key part of the school along with the many business partners associated with it.

In the years following the rebrand, MCLA shifted into a more diverse campus with more degrees offered than ever before. Along with the name change came a new school athletics team name. The athletics nickname was changed from the Mohawks to the Trailblazers, with Trailblazers being a more modern and new mascot, which also incorporated some history of North Adams in as well. Trailblazers was decided due to the many walking and wildlife trails located across the North Adams area. A Trailblazer was someone who could come make an impact and create trails for others to follow as many alumni have here at MCLA. In 2012, the name Trailblazers added a new logo of a mountain lion which was the first animal to blaze the trails of North Adams back in the 1800s.

Changing the name of North Adams State College to the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 1997 was an important step for the school. President Thomas Aceto led a valiant effort to give the college a stronger academic identity, which helped improve its national rankings and focus on liberal arts education. Though some local residents disagreed, MCLA has since grown into a more demanding, diverse, and respected institution because of it.