Vanderbilt University Logo PNG
The knowledge gained in the institution remains in the student’s memory forever. The Vanderbilt University logo is a special approach to learning and a careful selection of students. Only the strongest and most literate students can be honored to enter a university.
Vanderbilt University: Brand overview
Vanderbilt University (VU) is a private educational and research institution awarded the highest level of major activity (R1). A very selective selection of applicants distinguishes it and offers a choice of 70 fields of study. It is now the 10th most innovative university in the world. It is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and opened in 1873.
The founder of this institution of higher learning was the philanthropist, railroad, and maritime magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, after whom the college was named. The wealthy businessman donated one million dollars to support the local school, turning it into Central University. The donor was hopeful that his gift and the university’s active work would eliminate the devastation of the Civil War in the region.
The Methodist Episcopal Church South was the school’s ideological organizer and considered opening a regional educational institution where church ministers would be educated. In 1872, the leadership even voted to establish its university in Nashville. However, a lack of development funds hindered the idea’s realization. Then, it was decided to attract investors.
The choice fell on the richest man in the United States – Cornelius Vanderbilt. He wanted to establish his university on Staten Island in New York State. However, he was persuaded to invest in Vanderbilt University’s opening, adding another 500,000 dollars to the planned sum. Although the benefactor never intended for the institution of higher learning to bear his surname, the board of trustees decided so. It is a very developed and advanced academic center, ranking 10th in the country regarding innovation.
The Vanderbilt Commodores are the name of the university’s athletic teams, which participate in NCAA Division I competition and are Southeastern Conference (SEC) members. The Commodores are a vital component of the collegiate athletic community since they play in several sports, such as baseball, basketball, and football, and they take pride in their sporting achievements.
Meaning and History
The symbol of Vanderbilt University is the white oak (the Latin name is Quercus alba). Therefore, the logo of the educational institution for some time depicted an acorn and a leaf, which personified prosperity and strength. By the way, an arboretum is on campus – a quiet forest oasis in a noisy city. Given the total number of trees (almost 6000), there are relatively few white oaks – only about 50. There is a much more large-flowered magnolia, but it did not reach the emblem.
The acorn and oak leaves were taken from the Vanderbilt family coat of arms, a tribute to the person who created the university. However, in 2022, it was decided to remove a reminder of the university’s glorious history from the logo. Thus, the floral patterns disappeared, giving way to a practical and modern letter “V.”
What is Vanderbilt University?
Vanderbilt University is a research university named after the American business magnate. It is considered an elite educational institution, as it is among the top 20 universities in the United States. There are famous athletes, scientists, writers, politicians, and other figures among its graduates.
before 2022
The university-wide emblem is a harmonious symbiosis of graphics, text, and the historical roots of Vanderbilt University. On the left is an icon formed from the first letter of the university’s name and the city it is located in. The “V” aperture is in the shape of an oak leaf with an acorn, which is beautiful and symbolic. The fact is that the oldest campus was recognized as a national nursery in 1988. There are almost 190 species of shrubs and trees on its territory. One of them is a 200-year-old oak tree from the time of the Revolution. Hence, there is such a close relationship with historical symbolism.
On the right side is the name of the high school. It takes two lines. The upper word is “Vanderbilt” in classical bold type with small serifs. The lower inscription is “University.” It is the opposite of the first text, typed in a thin sans-serif typeface. In both cases, the letters are capitalized, which serves as a unifying factor.
2022 – today
On March 22, 2022, it became known that Vanderbilt University would update its identity and abandon the logo with the usual floral ornament. It was decided to use the strict “V” sign, developed by the Boston studio Upstatement. According to the management, he successfully united all departments of the educational institution, including sports teams that used to use their unique symbol.
The letter seems voluminous because each side is divided into two color blocks: dark and light. At the same time, the gradient further enhances the feeling of three-dimensionality. “V” combines classicism and modernism, embodying courage, confidence, and leadership. The full version of the logo is complemented by a two-level inscription, “VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY,” aligned to the left. All glyphs are black and capitalized. The font is a contrasting serif with long, thin serifs.
Seal
The VU seal depicts its creator, Cornelius Vanderbilt. The governing board approved the patron’s image, which has always been present in the identity. This structure of the main university sign gives the right to speak in two parts: graphic and text. The former occupies the central part, and the latter is the outline. The donator is represented as a bas-relief, which is turned in profile. Around it is a free white space surrounded by two lines of different widths.
Next is a band with the Latin phrase “SIGILLIUM UNIVERSITATIS VANDERBILTIAE.” The last two letters are connected in a ligature. The year of the university’s foundation is at the bottom, indicated in Roman numerals separated from the main text by miniature oval ornaments. A ring with a twisted rope and a simple dark line is a frame for the seal.
Font and Colors
If we compare the visual marks of the Vanderbilt University identity, we can note the commonality of the color scheme. Both the university-wide symbolism and the athletic logo are identical. But the VU seal is black and white and does not relate to modernity—it reflects the university’s history.
The university has two official fonts: sans serif EB Garamond (an alternative to Times) and serif Source Sans Pro (replaceable with Arial). The main color scheme is a combination of black and gold.
