Emotional forum debates 'Dixie' in UT college name

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) - Some say keeping the word "Dixie" in a southern Utah college's name would promote racism and hold the school back as it seeks to become a university.

The Spectrum of St. George reports more than 100 people attended an emotional community forum Thursday to explore a potential name change.

Community member Richard Hutchins said he was "flabbergasted" Dixie was still in the name and asked whether the school wanted to be perceived as defiant by outsiders.

Former faculty member Connie Corbett Keate says southern Utah is widely known as Dixie and says changing the name would affect school songs and an iconic "D'' on a nearby hillside.

About 20 protesters gathered around the campus' statue of two Confederate soldiers before the forum, holding candles and covering a Confederate flag.

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Information from: The Spectrum

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