Syracuse University Logo PNG
The Syracuse University logo helps identify the educational institution across various media platforms, including documents, websites, and social media. It doesn’t carry explicit symbolic meanings but conveys information about the university’s name and traditional colors, making the emblem recognizable.
Syracuse University was chartered on March 24, 1870, after local leaders failed to bring Cornell University to Syracuse and plans to move Genesee College from Lima stalled in court. The Methodist Church pledged $400,000, the city added $100,000, and trustees bought 50 acres on the southeast edge of Syracuse, where the main campus still stands.
Classes began on September 1, 1871, in rented space downtown, with 41 students and five professors. From the start, the university admitted students regardless of sex or race. Chancellor Erastus Otis Haven enrolled his daughter Frances among the first students. The Hall of Languages opened in 1873, and that year Syracuse founded the first US fine arts college to grant a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought major expansion. John Dustin Archbold of Standard Oil donated about $6 million and funded buildings including Archbold Stadium in 1907 and Archbold Gymnasium in 1909. Andrew Carnegie gave $150,000 for a library that opened in 1907. Later additions included the business school in 1919, the Maxwell School in 1924, and the journalism school in 1934.
After World War II, enrollment surged under the GI Bill, with 9,464 new students in 1946. Syracuse joined the Association of American Universities in 1966. In sports, the football team went unbeaten in 1959, and Ernie Davis won the Heisman Trophy in 1961. On December 21, 1988, 35 Syracuse students died in the Pan Am 103 bombing over Lockerbie, leading to the campus memorial and annual Remembrance Scholarship program.
Meaning and History
Syracuse University is located on a picturesque slope in the very heart of New York State. Its ancient architecture and ivy-covered walls remind us that construction began in 1870. However, the SU wordmark offers no obvious nods to the venerable history of the educational institution. The logo has repeatedly been criticized for its excessive “corporate” feel, as it doesn’t contain any symbolic elements – only the university’s name, which is represented in various documents and graphic materials. Nevertheless, credit should be given to the Sherman font. It was designed long ago by the American artist Frederic W. Goudy and continues to be used today, serving as an important part of the university’s cultural heritage.
The SU branding guide also states that, in addition to the wordmark, the logo includes Block S, an orange letter with many angles. In its standard form, it has no contour. This symbol not only represents sports teams but is also part of the educational institution’s official emblem.
The modern visual identity of the university was created by the New York-based design firm Pentagram. The specialists developed a complex brand system, including diverse graphic symbols, seals, colors, and fonts, that reflects the educational institution’s concept. The development team includes Jesse Reed, Michael Bierut, Ben Feller, and Chester Jenkins.
What is Syracuse University?
Syracuse University is a private educational institution that integrates teaching and scientific research. It was founded in the American state of New York in 1870. Since then, it has significantly expanded the list of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in various fields of knowledge. The university is famous not only for its high-quality education but also for its successful sports team, the Syracuse Orange, named after its official color.
The logo enhances Syracuse University’s recognition and can be used in most contexts, whereas the seal is limited in use. One of its elements is the wordmark – the university’s full name in orange letters. Both a single-tier and a two-tier arrangement of the inscription are acceptable, depending on available space.
The phrase “Syracuse University” must be typed in the proprietary Sherman family font. Its creator is the well-known American typographer Frederic W. Goudy, who drew over 110 typefaces, many of which have become classics. When the Pentagram firm took on updating the SU logo, designer Chester Jenkins slightly modified the font to give it a modern look.
The Seal
The university refers to its seal as the Heritage Logo, the oldest element of its visual identity (archives indicate that the initial version was adopted as early as 1871). It is used on special occasions, such as academic ceremonies, award presentations, and diploma presentations. The seal comprises four elements.
- “Suos Cultores Scientia Coronat,” a motto that translates into English as “Knowledge crowns those who seek her.” The designers placed the Latin phrase at the center to remind everyone about the importance of acquiring new knowledge and never ceasing to learn.
- The laurel wreath is an ancient symbol of victory and glory. In the university context, it’s associated with academic achievements, sports, and research. Two branches with 37 leaves frame the motto and separate it from the other inscriptions.
- The phrase “SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY” is a recognizable sign that identifies the educational institution. The name is written at the top in an arch form.
- “FOUNDED 1870” marks the beginning of SU’s history. This inscription is at the bottom, curved into an inverted arch.
The composition is adorned with many small black dots. Some of them complement the laurel wreath, while others separate the university’s name from its founding year.
As far as we know, the seal used to look different. The current version was released after a rebranding by the Pentagram firm. Designers redrew the leaves using modern graphic tools and updated the fonts to match the SU typography system.
Font and Colors
The official typeface of this New York State University is Sherman. The entire visual identity of the educational institution is built on it. Frederic W. Goudy created the original version of the font, and almost a hundred years later, Chester Jenkins refined the design, presenting two versions of Sherman: serif and sans-serif.
The color orange also holds significant historical importance. It’s used both by the educational institution itself and its sports teams. That’s why the wordmark is colored in the iconic Syracuse University Orange (#F76900; PMS 158C).