If I were going to move toward a capital campaign, I would not change the
institution's name BEFORE the campaign.   I believe you run the risk of
real confusion among supporters, especially among the "friends" for whom
this might be their first chance to repay a longtime memory, and for current
knowledgeable and active "friends" who may confuse your mailing and publicity.
 
I'm not sure that I agree with the premise that the use of "museum" in your
title dates you.   It should not be the title, but the programs that are the
emphasis.  The problem with titles is that they mean different things to
different folks.   In an academic setting the use of the word "Center" usually
means (a) privately-funded, (b) offers grants/funding for scholars, and (3) is
not a teaching department.   Most of these assumptions are wrong or vary con-
siderably, which caused our "Center for West Florida Archaeology" to change
its name to the "Archaeological Institute" of the University of West Florida.
 
In short, title words should be chosen carefully.  Does not the phrase
Science Museum of Virginia convey your purpose, subject, and authority?  Or
would "The Science Center of Virginia" convey that?   ((you have to think in
the mindset of the public, not the museum person or scientist)).
 
Dean DeBolt, University of West Florida
Special Collections and West Florida Archives