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LOCK HAVEN — After months of waiting, the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has approved a name for its newly integrated school.

Although Lock Haven, Bloomsburg and Mansfield universities will retain their names and identities, the combined university will be known as Commonwealth University. The PASSHE Board of Governor’s unanimously approved the name during a meeting on Tuesday.

“Each campus will continue to use its respective location name… maintaining the use of the word University, existing logos, colors, mascots, and traditions. Diplomas will prominently display either Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, or Mansfield University at the top of the document according to each graduate’s location of choice,” a release from Lock Haven University said.

According to the release: “The selection of Commonwealth University as the name for the integrated entity serves the Middle States accreditation of the institution, and other accreditation and contractual purposes. Commonwealth University will not serve as a public-facing identifier, but will remain in the background, allowing the universities to legally and compliantly become one entity while maintaining our strong brands in our regions and beyond.”

The integrated name was developed through research and input from students, alumni, faculty, staff, trustees and prospective students and their families, the release stated.

Dr. Bashar Hanna, president of Bloomsburg University and interim president of Lock Haven and Mansfield universities said, “we are proud that each university’s name will remain prominent across our campuses and in our ongoing outreach to families across the state as we showcase the power of our three universities through the breadth of educational experiences accessible to current and future students. The continued engagement of our communities is shaping the future of our universities and enabling educational opportunities for generations to come. We are changing the trajectory of public higher education for the hard-working citizens of Pennsylvania.”

The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities will take effect in the fall of 2022. In July 2021, PASSHE’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to combine LHU with Bloomsburg and Mansfield universities in the East and Clarion, California and Edinboro universities in the west.

“Since the beginning of the integration process we have committed to retaining the local names and identities of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities, acknowledging that they are the heartbeats of the communities they serve. Today we have taken another step forward in the redesign of our state system universities. These three historic institutions are continuing their evolution, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to serving the students of the commonwealth. It is through that commitment that we see tremendous value in selecting the name Commonwealth University to represent the integrated entity,” said PASSHE Chancellor Daniel Greenstein.

BOG Board Chair Cynthia Shapira said, “The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities establishes an education powerhouse in the Northeast region of the Commonwealth, promising increased access to quality academic programs, experienced faculty, a wealth of opportunities for current and future students, and deep connection to Pennsylvania’s workforce needs. We commend the recommendation of Commonwealth University as an entity name for the Northeast integrating institutions and thank the stakeholders for their input and service to our universities.”

Each campus will continue to retain a full complement of athletic programs and leadership is working with the NCAA to confirm this path in the spring. Athletic logos, colors, mascots, and traditions will not change.

Existing foundations and alumni associations will remain separate and continue to support their respective campuses. Donors can continue to designate funds to support programs or a campus of their choosing.

More information about the integration process is available at lockhaven.edu/integration.