Boston College Logo PNG
The emblem takes viewers back to its origins, showing that the college has always been under the auspices of the church and the crown. Education in an institution promotes development, teaches you to choose the right path in life, and leads to honors and glory. This is what the Boston College logo conveys.
Meaning and History
In 1825, a Jesuit from Maryland, Benedict Joseph Fenwick, was appointed Boston’s second bishop. He immediately envisioned opening a college to educate a new generation of leaders to serve the diocese’s spiritual and civic needs. Two years later, the clergyman established the school in the cathedral’s basement. However, his relations with the city’s elite deteriorated because he had to leave the existing school and open the College of the Holy Cross 72 kilometers away in Worcester, Massachusetts.
John McElroy advanced the idea of establishing a college in Boston and recognized a great need for it. After receiving the administration’s approval, he began raising funds to purchase land for construction. In 1857, the minister bought the South End near Boston. The first class appeared in 1859. It was started without much celebration in the two college buildings. Two years later, it was closed for several reasons: disagreements over management, funding, and the outbreak of the Civil War. Boston College officially reopened in the spring of 1863, 30 years after its founding.
What is Boston College?
This distinguished private research university in the Boston suburbs combines modern academic approaches with a Jesuit educational heritage. The university comprises eight specialized schools and colleges and offers a wide range of programs in humanities, law, business, social work, and education. The university is notable for its neo-Gothic architecture, with the iconic Gasson Tower serving as its emblem. Its expansive green campus fosters a conducive learning environment. The university also provides a rich cultural life, including student clubs, art exhibitions, and musical performances. At the same time, its athletic legacy is represented by the Eagles, who compete in the prestigious ACC.
Interestingly, the institution’s identity does not distinguish between the academic seal and the university-wide logo. To this end, it uses the same emblem, rooted in its history. Its basic elements are artificial and non-man-made objects. The former includes crowns, a shield, and a book; the latter includes the sun and mountains. It also includes a divine, higher beginning, referencing the name Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.
The identity mark is circular, a classic rondel with an accented middle and concentric circles. In the center is a shield divided into two independent zones. At the top of the black rectangle is the sun, with the inscription “IHS,” a cross, and two crowns, the primary symbols of monarchical authority. In the lower area, painted red and pink, are three high mountains and an open book above them. The university motto is written in ancient Greek.
To the right and left of the shield, in the shape of an inverted arch, extends a ribbon with the words “Religioni et Bonis Artibus.” It is placed within a circle, divided by thin horizontal lines. A broad border band follows, bearing the school’s name in Latin and its founding year in Roman numerals. Miniature dots separate inscriptions. A gold ring runs along the seal’s outer edge.
Another emblem is more modern. It shows the university’s main logo, and next to it (on the right) is its English name, “Boston College.” It spans two lines and is set in all caps with long serifs.
Font and Colors
The academic and athletic logos of Boston College share a color scheme. Both use the university’s main colors, gold and burgundy, in several shades. However, the logos differ in imagery because they serve distinct purposes and convey different concepts.
For the logo lettering, the designers chose Scala, Boston College’s official font since the 1990s. It is based on the humanistic styles of Renaissance typography and emphasizes the university’s Western origins and Roman Catholic roots.
The primary colors of this institution of higher learning are gold and burgundy, with a touch of purple. They are present in all aspects of the identity. They also use blue, several shades of beige, brown, silver, and black.