New reader “Thomas” sent an email to 12MC concerning an institution of higher learning seemingly out of place geographically. The University of California has a number of affiliated campuses, although none of them are located in Pennsylvania. Yet, oddly there’s a California University of Pennsylvania.
As always, there was a twist to the situation as I looked closer. The university sat in a town called California outside of Pittsburgh. The town dated to 1849, presumably in commemoration of the California Gold Rush that was happening at the same time. The university simply took the name of the town and the state. I replied that it reminded me of another geographically counterintuitive institution from the same state, Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Thinking Out Loud…
This could provide an exceptional opportunity for mischief, as I considered the possibilities further. What if people wanted to misrepresent where they earned their diplomas, maybe pad a résumé or impress their friends, or for some other unknown reason? Maybe it would be easier or cheaper to attend a soundalike institution instead. If miscreants said that they’d graduated from Cal, would it be their fault if others assumed they were referring to UC Berkeley instead of lesser-known Cal U in PA?(¹).
I am certain that all of the similarly-named colleges and universities are perfectly fine places with solid reputations. However, the better known versions could convey additional benefits or prestige whether academic or athletic if used deceivingly. Those of questionable moral standing could easily employ a bait-and-switch.
I was curious to discover the prevalence of such opportunities even though I don’t condone such devious use. The examination began with a listing of colleges and universities in the US, UK and Canada. I sorted for similarities and compiled a lot of close matches in a shared Google Doc. Then I distilled it down to a handful of optimally deceptive options.
Ivy League
Several opportunities presented themselves for those unable to gain admission to an Ivy League school or those unwilling to shoulder a six-figure student debt upon graduation. I called these choices the “Cheap Ivies” (do not confuse them with the Public Ivies).
How about Cornell College in Iowa instead of the Cornell University in New York? Distant cousins from the same family founded them so they’re practically the same. Right? Any of the Columbia Colleges (Missouri, South Carolina, Illinois) could substitute for Columbia University. Finally, nobody would really need to know that Penn referred to William Penn University instead of the University of Pennsylvania.
Sports
Not everyone will want to attend a big-time athletics school. Those universities tend to have tens of thousands of students. They can be very impersonal places. However lots of people crave associations with athletic powerhouses.
A certain image would come across if someone mentioned they were a Notre Dame grad. It could quickly become a launching point for a thousand barroom conversations (or brawls) as long as they didn’t mention their preference for the Notre Dame Falcons from Ohio instead of the Fighting Irish. Similar situations existed for Georgetown in Kentucky, and Miami University of Ohio. How about Pitt? One could easily substitute Pittsburg State University in Kansas for the University of Pittsburgh.
Was it Seton Hall University or it’s nearly identical Seton Hill University? They both honored the same person, Elizabeth Ann Seton, so go for it.
Internationalists
The University of Cambridge and its 31 constituent colleges in England are world-renowned. The institution featured some 90 Nobel laureates including Stephen Hawking. Isaac Newton went there. Its long list of famous alumni have made some of the most important contributions to mankind for the last several centuries. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to pursue a degree from Cambridge College in Massachusetts? “I completed my studies at Cambridge” would be a completely true statement.
Other substitutions could include Ottawa University in Kansas in lieu of the University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada. Then I found the Yorks. There were York Colleges in Nebraska, New York and Pennsylvania, along with York University in Ontario and the University of York in England. Go ahead and substitute any one for any other. Enjoy!
Something Different
I found a similar situation with the Lincolns. There were Lincoln Universities in Missouri and Pennsylvania and a University of Lincoln in England. None of those were the unusual one. That honor went to Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee. Someone could have so much mischievous fun with Lincoln Memorial.
It wasn’t their fault, though. The founders established Lincoln Memorial University in 1897. The Lincoln Memorial — the edifice in Washington, DC — didn’t arrive until 1922.
12MC Loves Footnotes!
(¹) Actually that would be completely and utterly wrong so don’t do that.
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