College: We're Keeping 'Dixie' in Our Name

A college in Utah will keep the word "Dixie" in its name despite signs that the school's history is steeped in racism, USA Today reports. Following an impassioned debate, trustees at Dixie State College voted unanimously yesterday to use the name Dixie State University if the state approves its bid to become a university. But things got emotional: One trustee cried as he agreed to keep "Dixie," saying he was only echoing the voice of the student body.

"It tears me apart to have to vote that way," said Trustee Brody Mikesell, who is the student body president. "This definitely brought out the ugly in people." Critics jumped on the fact that old school yearbooks showed students wearing blackface and conducting "slave auctions." People also criticized a school statue of Confederate horsemen in battle, which has since been removed. "These symbols were introduced in the 1950s," said Trusee Chairman Steven Caplin. "We believe by replacing these symbols, we've honorably demonstrated our own social sensibility." (More Dixie stories.)