Governor signs bill to preserve SFA name

Gov. Rick Perry ceremonially signed into law, Senate Bill 596 in August, preventing SFA's name from ever being changed.

Perry signed the bill into law on the SFA campus. The bill enrolled in the Senate in late May, and Perry originally signed it into law on June 19. The ceremonial signing was well received by a wide audience on the campus.

Sen. Robert Nichols and Rep. Wayne Christian stood next to Perry during the bill signing. Nichols authored the bill, and Christian, who has worked on similar legislation in the past, worked in conjunction to help pass the bill.

The bill ensures that the University's name can never be changed and prevents the board of regents from ever being able to do so.

Bob Wright, director of public affairs at SFA, attended the signing and said the room overflowed with attendees who came to witness the historic event.

"It was standing room only, and I would say about half the number of people were standing outside the room and peeking through the door," Wright said.

Passage of the bill elicited a sigh of relief from countless alumni and students who feared that one day a name change might occur. Wright mentioned the importance of the name difference between SFA and other Universities in Texas. SFA is linked to a forefather of the state of Texas.

"Unlike most universities, SFA is named after one of the most important historical figures of Texas, the father of Texas," Wright said. "When you carry something that meaningful and important, you should hold on to it for your entire existence."

jpatterson@thepinelog.com