Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Chancellor Ronald L. Elsenbaumer released a statement Wednesday saying that as part of the school’s rebranding to becoming Purdue Fort Wayne, it will change the school colors from blue and white to Purdue’s black and gold.

Elsenbaumer, who took over Nov. 1 from the school’s ninth chancellor, Vicky Carwein, who retired, released a statement about the future branding of Purdue University Fort Wayne.

In it, he cited the work done by Virginia-based SimpsonScarborough, which the school contracted to conduct market research for branding the school’s transition to Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Explaining the change to black and gold school colors, Elsenbaumer wrote, “While there are several factors that played into this decision, the findings of the market research are clear: the Purdue University brand is known for academic quality and is recognized as being a quality brand locally, nationally and globally. As a result, the brand equity of Purdue will serve to enhance and elevate perceptions of Purdue Fort Wayne. Yet we also know that our campus has its own personality and assets, unique from the main campus, that will be capitalized on and highlighted through our marketing and brand positioning statements. To be clear, determining our colors is just one step in the process of rebranding our institution and we will continue working to develop the creative pieces of our brand. A brand implementation team comprised of university stakeholders has been engaged in the process and will be critical to the brand rollout.”

IPFW is awaiting approval by the Higher Learning Commission for the separation of Indiana and Purdue universities at the campus they’ve shared since 1964 at 2101 Coliseum Blvd. E.

If approved, the change would go into effect July 1, affecting students entering the fall 2018 semester. The university has created a new admissions microsite – https://web.ipfw.edu/purdue/ – for prospective students interested in applying to the school.

Both the Purdue and Indiana boards of trustees have approved the split. Under the agreement, Indiana University will take over all operations of health sciences at IPFW, including the transfer of nursing, medical imaging and dental education programs from Purdue to Indiana. The rest of IPFW’s current programs will fall under the Purdue University umbrella. Some degree programs were discontinued.