First, Loyola College in Maryland, where I attended and graduated as an undergrad 25 years ago last spring, announced it was changing its name to Loyola University Maryland. (The change will take place a few weekends from now with campus events and fireworks.) New banners are already up and flying high. I am lucky enough to live nearby, a short walk away, so I hope to see and hear some of the excitement, even if I don't attend all of the festivities... It's the latest change in the institution's evolution from a mostly commuter school to one of vibrant campus life and increasing attraction as a destination for students from around the nation.
Now, just up the street and around the corner, at Gilman School, my other alma mater, there is also a change in the works. The prep school's seal has been revised, part of a long tradition of evolution, it seems. The previous version, a round emblem, had looked pretty much the same as it had when I began attending 35 (can that be right?) years ago this month.
The new seal is a basic crest, which had been a part of the circular emblem, but this will look better on a jacket, and its more visibly distinctive in print publications and ads. I was a little shocked at first, especially when I first saw it in use in a magazine ad a few months ago. However, it grew on me, especially when I learned that it's just a step away from (actually more of a step back to) the first seal, created in 1907. So the more things change, the more they stay the same.
Kudos, Gilman and Loyola for keeping things fresh while incorporating the past. After much forward-thinking, yet past-respective construction and expansion on your campuses, a change in branding is logical too.
Posts
