A petition to change the name of the Université de Moncton has garnered more than 1,000 signatures.

Many prominent names in the Acadian community have signed the petition including politicians, musicians and scholars.

Acadian activist Jean-Marie Nadeau is spearheading the petition.

The university was named after the City of Moncton when it was founded in 1963.

The City of Moncton was named after British military leader Robert Monckton who played a key role in the expulsion of the Acadians in 1755.

UdeM Chancellor Denis Prud’homme has said he would be open to the idea of a name change if it had community support.