Business was already brisk in sweats and t-shirts bearing the new school logo Wednesday outside the lecture hall in the new engineering building,where University of Windsor President Alan Wildeman had just unveiled the institution’s new coat of arms and re-branding campaign.
“It’s a huge pleasure to launch a renewed identification for the University of Windsor,” said Wildeman, as he introduced the blue, gold and white crest, which features a W emblazoned on a shield containing the symbols of the institution’s heritage, a fleur-de-lys, representing the French influence at the founding, a Canadian maple leaf and a stylized lily at the bottom, signifying the religious orders historically represented at the school.
The large W is also spanned by an intertwining band to symbolize the bridge and border between two countries as well as the journey students make toward their educational fulfillment.
Wildeman said the new shield, which was launched with the simultaneous unveiling of a new plaque at the entrance on University Avenue and the raising of the flag bearing the coat-of-arms on campus, was designed “entirely in house” through the university’s office of public affairs and communications. He said the process required 720 days and a team of six to design the logo at a cost of $14,000.
“This logo unifies everyone under a common theme,” said Wildeman. “The campus will be transformed over the summer to excite people about the coming 50th anniversary.”
Reaction to the new logo was positive.
“It’s a nice logo,” said Third Year Engineering student Michael Korta. “I look forward to getting an engineering sweatshirt with the logo on it this summer. It’s a change.”
The previous University of Windsor logo is pictured in this 2011 file image. (Dan Janisse / The Windsor Star)
