The school, established by Benedictine monks near the Capitol shortly after statehood, has grown from a single student in 1895 to a campus with 1,200 students, 22 undergraduate majors and six graduate programs. The college has 600 students at the Fort Lewis Army base, McChord Air Force base and Olympic College.

Trustees decided to adopt the "university" moniker to better reflect the school's breadth and to eliminate confusion with community colleges that are dropping the "community" from their names.

Monday's name change coincided with the new school year at Fort Lewis and McChord. A celebration is scheduled for Aug. 30, when classes begin on the main campus.

"It feels good - it feels better than 'college,"' said student Alvena Willis, 21, Tacoma. "I am glad that it changed right before I graduated, because it's going to look more impressive on my resume."

The university also will have a new president. Douglas Astolfi recently replaced longtime President David Spangler, who retired.

The school will open a new dorm this fall and recently opened an addition to its principal building, Old Main, and remodeled and expanded the dining hall.

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