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Montana School Challenges Summit University

SOUTH ABINGTON TOWNSHIP — Summit University of Lackawanna County, formerly known as Baptist Bible College, may soon change its name again. There’s a...

SOUTH ABINGTON TOWNSHIP -- Summit University of Lackawanna County, formerly known as Baptist Bible College, may soon change its name again.

There's another Summit University and officials with that school in Montana have taken issue.

Summit University near Clarks Summit just wrapped up a lengthy marketing campaign after changing its name last year from Baptist Bible College.

So, you can imagine school officials' frustration when they were hit with a lawsuit over the brand new name.

"Obviously, when we landed on the name, we thought we had a winner."

Folks at Summit University say there is, in fact, a lot that's in a name. The university and seminary near Clarks Summit is named after its community, but also has a deeper meaning for the future religious leaders who are taught there.

But the name Summit University is being challenged with a lawsuit from a school with the same name in Montana.

"We really love the name, but we are committed to do what's right. And so, if we can modify that name to still represent our community and our mission, but at the same time not infringe on someone else's rights, then that's our goal to accomplish that," said university official Lee Kliewer.

Kliewer says Summit knew about the other Summit. Leaders thought the official name of Summit University of Pennsylvania was enough of a distinction.

The Montana school disagrees.

"It was a bit of a surprise to hear about the suit, and it's unfortunate that this is happening right now."

Students say the toughest part about possibly having to part with this name is that they've only had it for less than a year.

"It kind of stinks because we just changed our name," said junior Thomas Pfeil. "We got all this stuff, the t-shirts, the jerseys, we got Summit everywhere and it's kind of like, now we have to change it all."

Summit University changed its name in April, thus changing every sign, shirt, and piece of merchandise. How much the name changes now depends on a decision between lawyers for the two schools.

Students hope the "Summit" stays.

"I haven't really thought about it," said senior Kristen Miller. "I'm assuming it will be close to what they changed it to, to Summit University, but whatever they choose, I'm sure it will be a good representation of our school and the mission here."

Summit University officials say ironically, when the school was Baptist Bible College there were at least two other institutions elsewhere in the country that shared its name.

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