May 08, 2017 12:55 AM EDT By Anne Collins, UniversityHerald Reporter

Philadelphia University officials announced on Friday that once the college completes a merger later this year it will be renamed as Thomas Jefferson University. President Stephen Spinelli Jr. sent an email to the faculty and staff that said a research analysis revealed that the new name has a stronger brand and potential for building a stronger national and international reputation.

The research was conducted by the branding firm, FutureBrand, which led the university's board of trustees to the decision after conferring with students, faculty, staff and alumni. The school also plans to create two institutes to retain the Philadelphia University name, such as Philadelphia University Honors Institute and Philadelphia University Design Institute.

There will be no changes to the names of institutions such as the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce and TJU's Sidney Kimmel Medical College. The school will also retain the ram mascot. This semester's graduates will get degrees from Philadelphia University.

In December 2015, school officials had announced the merger, which aims to help double the new university's enrollment to around 7,500 students on the Philadelphia U's in East Falls and Thomas Jefferson's medical campus in Center City. Philadelphia University has a strong history in textile, architecture and design majors.

Philadelphia University has been plagued with poor name recognition for 133 years, it is the fourth name of the university. The previous names were Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, Philadelphia Textile Institute and Philadelphia Textile School, NBC Philadelphia reported.

The merger is expected to complete this summer following regulatory approvals. It has been promoted as a complimentary match for both universities as Philadelphia is aiming to gain a medical college and Jefferson would add design and business major opportunities. The schools are exploring new visual identities for the universities and aim to boost enrollment this summer and the years to come. 

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