FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is looking to rebrand itself as it prepares to split into two separate schools next year.
University officials are considering what to name the schools, The Journal Gazette (https://bit.ly/2mkhs53) reported.
The Purdue institution will stay as a comprehensive university while the IU school will focus on health sciences programs. Trustees at the universities will ultimately choose new names for their schools.
“When the realignment starts on July 1, 2018, the organization will fundamentally be different. So we also need to be just as mindful to look forward,” said Jack Patton, an IPFW spokesman. “Even though IU may be on campus here, we’re just looking at a new operating model that will affect what we present to the community.”
A weeklong online survey that ended Thursday sought community input for the Purdue campus. Purdue University Fort Wayne and Purdue University Northeast were listed as possible names.
IU spokeswoman Margie Smith-Simmons said the name of its Fort Wayne campus will be similar to the university’s other health sciences centers across the state.
The new names are expected to be revealed this spring.
Patton said there will be a lot of logistical changes once the names are chosen, including updates to banners, signs, stationery and other printed materials the school distributes.
IPFW spokeswoman Kimberly Wagner declined to release the estimated budget for the rebranding because it’s likely to change.
John Paff, a partner at Nichols Co., a Fort Wayne marketing firm, recommends coherence in the rebranding effort.
“It must truly identify with who they are and be a real reflection of their brand,” he said. “And so in as much as they will be regional campuses of state institutions, that coherence needs to be reflected in the name.”
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Information from: The Journal Gazette, https://www.journalgazette.net
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