Fort Wayne, Ind. – Indiana University Fort Wayne has announced its new campus mascot, the Red Foxes. Yesterday the university celebrated its new mascot with a big reveal for its students, faculty and staff. A new campus logo was unveiled and giveaways such as shirts, cups, stuffed red foxes and more were distributed to those who attended.
IU Fort Wayne asked for the public’s help in selecting a mascot last November. Fort Wayne residents were encouraged to submit recommendations for a mascot that they felt best fit the campus and the Greater Fort Wayne area. In January of this year, the campus narrowed the search down to Red Foxes, River Otters, Summiteers and Saint Bernards. Once again, students, faculty, staff and area residents were asked to pick their favorite. Over a thousand people voted and Red Foxes came out on top.
Following its split from Purdue Fort Wayne in 2018, IU Fort Wayne began building its own identity as the area’s premier health science campus. Despite its tremendous success the last few years, the campus continued to fall under the radar. Yesterday marks a new path forward, said IU Fort Wayne Associate Chancellor Ann Obergfell.
"We’re finally grabbing our own identity,” said Obergfell. “Our campus is very unique and that is what makes us special. Our students share many campus amenities with Purdue Fort Wayne like housing, student activities and career development, but are very excited to have a mascot that represents IU Fort Wayne.”
The campus hopes this new identity encourages more comradery among its students and the Fort Wayne community.