Marian College gets new name

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A college on the city's near west side has now graduated to university status.

There are some big changes at Marian College. Balloons were launched and a new sign revealed the name just as a plane was flying over with the new banner Saturday. Marian College is now Marian University.

Saturday's event marks another chapter in the history of Marian College. It moved here to Indianapolis from Oldenburg, in the southeastern part of the state back in 1937. This move from college to university means more esteem, more opportunities for students.

"We're moving forward. We've seen a lot of changes since I started here three years ago and we think we'll continue to see that change. We're adding better programs, stronger programs in the graduate school," student Brittany Jackson said.

Future plans include developing graduate programs in the fields of science, business and health care.

Despite the tough economy, money has been raised.

"Next year when we close the books, on this academic year alone, we will have raised an excess of 13 million dollars. So even with all the difficulties, people are behind this tremendous project. We're making history, we're moving forward," explained Marian University President Daniel Elsener.

The plan for the name change was actually announced in October 2007 during the university's annual scholarship fundraiser.

The school has been in Indianapolis now for over 70 years. It has over 2,000 full and part time students.