IPFW to add 3 new schools to colleges

By Ron Shawgo | The Journal Gazette

IPFW will establish three new schools within existing colleges as it begins to transform into Purdue University Fort Wayne next year.

The new School of Polytechnic will merge the department of manufacturing and construction engineering technology and the department of computer, electrical, and information technology, the school announced Friday.

A new School of Education will be part of the renamed College of Professional Studies, now called the College of Education and Public Policy.

A School of Music, which was previously announced, will be part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. A $1 million grant from the English-Bonter-Mitchell Foundation and a $1 million allocation from the state of Indiana as part of the 2017-19 biennium budget will fund the school.

The Purdue University Board of Trustees approved the new schools Friday.

“As we look to the future and transition to Purdue Fort Wayne, creating these three new units with the unique designation of 'schools within colleges' makes us more attractive to prospective students,” Carl Drummond, vice chancellor for academic affairs and enrollment management, said in a news release. “By expanding our academic offerings, we can expand our reach with the goals of increasing enrollment and producing more graduates to meet the needs of the northeast Indiana region and beyond.”

Purdue Fort Wayne will emerge from the split of IPFW next year. Indiana University and Purdue trustees approved an agreement for IPFW's governance that establishes two institutions beginning July 1, 2018. IU will have a lower profile and focus on health sciences. Purdue will handle all other academic programs.

A School of Polytechnic will differentiate Purdue Fort Wayne and other universities in the region, Manoochehr Zoghi, professor and dean of the college of engineering, technology and computer science, said in the release.

“It sends the message that we are an institution that engages our students in applied learning, theory, and research that is critical to our future in business and society,” he said.

The School of Education will consist of the current department of educational studies and department of professional studies.

“With one out of every seven students being an education major, combining the graduate programs in counselor education, educational leadership, and special education with our master's and bachelor's programs in teacher education creates something bigger and more visible on campus and highlights our diverse education offerings,” said James Burg, associate professor and dean of the College of Education and Public Policy.

The School of Music will offer new degrees in music technology, commercial music and music industry studies, in addition to existing programs in music performance, music education and music therapy; an international performers certificate; and will host national music festivals on campus, according to the release.

“The music program has built a strong foundation including world-class faculty and staff, so being able to grow from a department to a school will attract more students nationally and internationally,” said John O'Connell, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Other changes announced Friday include:

• Moving the department of human services and department of hospitality and tourism management from the College of Health and Human Services to the College of Professional Studies.
• The department of fine arts and department of visual communication and design, part of the college of visual and performing arts, will be merged into the department of art and design.
• The department of anthropology and department of sociology, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, will be merged to form the department of anthropology and sociology.
• The trustees approved Purdue Fort Wayne to offer a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

“I am very excited about the work that has been done as we prepare for a very bright future as Purdue Fort Wayne,” Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer said in the release.

“There is a clear passion for providing our students with the best tools available to help them pursue their dreams and have the best higher-education experience possible.”