<P> In 2004 , with the election of Springfield native Matt Blunt to the governorship and the approaching centennial of the university 's founding , new support developed for the name change . It was opposed by the University of Missouri System ( which operates the four campuses of the University of Missouri ) , which feared that the name change would lead to duplication of academic programs and ongoing battles for students and state funding . In 2005 the name - change bill was passed , following a late - night compromise between University of Missouri System President Elson Floyd and then - Southwest Missouri State President John Keiser , stating that Missouri State University would not duplicate certain professional programs offered by the University of Missouri . The bill to rename the University finally passed the Missouri Senate ( 25 -- 7 ) . On March 1 , 2005 , after more than seven hours of debate , the bill passed the Missouri House ( 120 -- 35 ) . Governor Blunt signed it into law on March 17 , 2005 -- the centennial anniversary of the University -- at the Plaster Student Union where several student leaders and state leaders were present . </P>
<P> In 2004 , with the election of Springfield native Matt Blunt to the governorship and the approaching centennial of the university 's founding , new support developed for the name change . It was opposed by the University of Missouri System ( which operates the four campuses of the University of Missouri ) , which feared that the name change would lead to duplication of academic programs and ongoing battles for students and state funding . In 2005 the name - change bill was passed , following a late - night compromise between University of Missouri System President Elson Floyd and then - Southwest Missouri State President John Keiser , stating that Missouri State University would not duplicate certain professional programs offered by the University of Missouri . The bill to rename the University finally passed the Missouri Senate ( 25 -- 7 ) . On March 1 , 2005 , after more than seven hours of debate , the bill passed the Missouri House ( 120 -- 35 ) . Governor Blunt signed it into law on March 17 , 2005 -- the centennial anniversary of the University -- at the Plaster Student Union where several student leaders and state leaders were present . </P>
when did southwest missouri state became missouri state
when did southwest missouri state became missouri state
March 17 , 2005
March 17 , 2005