Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has unveiled a new University seal encompassing the institution’s traditions and foundational principles. SIUE’s most formal and historic symbol made its debut in 2013. The redesign more accurately reflects the institution’s core mission and values and honors its rich history and continued growth.
To jumpstart the redesign effort, SIUE launched a campus-wide 2024 University Seal Redesign Contest. Through this initiative, Kelly Franklin, a senior majoring in Art and Design, was awarded a $5,000 SIUE University Seal Redesign Scholarship for her contribution which provided the basis for the University design team to modernize SIUE’s official symbol.
Updating the University seal was an opportunity to fully express SIUE’s advancement as an institution. This highly anticipated emblem embodies the unyielding pursuit of academic achievement. We look forward to displaying it, proudly, as a symbol of educational excellence for our students, faculty and alums.
The new University seal incorporates key elements of SIUE’s identity:
- Monumental Elm – symbolizing deep local roots, growth, strength, and the beauty of our natural surroundings comprising one of the largest geographical campuses in the nation;
- Shurtleff College Administration Building Cupola – hearkening to the origins of the first SIUE class held in Alton, IL on the grounds of Shurtleff College (formerly known as Alton Seminary or Alton College before it was renamed to Shurtleff College in 1836). The campus opened under the administration of SIUE after 1956 when Shurtleff ceased operations;
- Architectural Depiction – represent buildings constructed and opened during the institution’s first two decades. They include what are now known as Peck Hall, Alumni Hall, Founders Hall, Rendleman Hall, the Morris University Center, and Lovejoy Library designed and inspired by the legendary architect Gyo Obata;
- Four Stars – represent the Edwardsville campus, Alton School of Dental Medicine, The Wyvetter H. Younge campus in East St. Louis Center, and the Belleville campus;
- Cougar Illustration – The legendary SIUE Cougar sits atop symbolizing spirit, pride, and strength. The SIUE Cougar is the long-standing mark for SIUE athletics, and the retro logo is used here to honor the rich legacy of academic achievement and competitive success established by student-athletes;
- Ribbon- Representing the founding year of 1957 atop an open book symbolizing the preservation and advancement of knowledge;
- Shield - Unifies all elements representing the strength of community
Together these elements express SIUE’s heritage, natural beauty, architecture, and community spirit. Given its significance in institutions of higher learning, the seal will be primarily reserved for ceremonial, historical, or commemorative uses.
Authorized Uses
The commemorative nature of the SIUE seal requires it to be used under strict guidelines. The following are areas of appropriate use. Additional or special use permissions may be granted subject to written approval from the Office of the Chancellor or University Marketing and Communications (UMC):
- Certificates & Diplomas
Diplomas, Covers, Frames, and other official Certificates. - Ceremonial Communications
Commencement programs, invitations, and other formal or historical communications. - Awards
Medallions, plaques, and other ceremonial or academic awards. - Stationery
Official stationery for the Chancellor, Chancellor’s Council, and other select executive offices. - Flags & Podiums
University flags, podiums for ceremonies, glass etchings, frosted doors, and permanent name plates approved by UMC. - Merchandise & Apparel
- Limited, approved merchandise of a formal or commemorative nature (colligate ties, scarves, jewelry) sold by authorized university personnel.
- The full seal or the shield with the cougar may be used for select formalwear if approved for production by UMC.
- Select casual apparel (such as hats, polos, or sweatshirts) may also be considered when designed in a restrained, dignified style that supports the University’s style guidelines. These requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by UMC.
- All merchandise applications must be produced through The Cougar Store in coordination with UMC.
Prohibited Uses
Unless otherwise notified in writing by UMC, the following should be considered unauthorized uses of the university seal and will not be allowed:
- Informal or novelty merchandise (e.g., casual t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, stickers, keychains, promotional giveaways) should generally be avoided, with very limited exceptions as noted above under approved casual apparel.
- Departmental or student organization merchandise.
- Common marketing/recruitment materials (flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, websites).
- General University stationery (letterhead, envelopes, business cards, note cards).
Colors and Reproduction
The seal and the shield-only version must always include the cougar and are available in the following formats:
- Full color – detailed and complete for formal and ceremonial applications
- Simplified full color – less intricate, for smaller or less detailed applications
- PMS 186 C (official University red) – single-color version
- White – single-color version for dark backgrounds
- Black – single-color version for light backgrounds
For special ceremonial purposes, the seal or shield-only version may be:
- Printed as a screen percentage (with UMC approval)
- Foil stamped in metallic silver or metallic gold (with UMC approval)
- Embossed in certain UMC approved applications
Clear Space & Background Usage
Ensuring consistency in use of the seal will guarantee that the provenance of the seal’s legacy will be maintained over time by various departments at SIUE. To this end, wherever possible, authorized users are asked to:
- Leave clear space around the seal equal to at least the height of the cougar illustration on all sides. This clear space recommendation may be relaxed for special applications (such as apparel, merchandise, or signage) when layout constraints require it; provided legibility is maintained.
- The seal may be placed over photos, textures, patterns, or text when necessary for design purposes. In these cases, use a contrasting or simplified version of the seal (single-color or reversed-out) so the details remain clear.
- Overlays on busier backgrounds are allowed, but designers should strive to keep the seal legible and distinct from surrounding elements.
Trademark and Legal Protection
The University seal is a protected symbol of SIUE. While it is not necessary to display a ® on formal documents such as diplomas, certificates, or awards, the seal is legally protected as a trademark, and its use is restricted according to these guidelines.For merchandise, licensing, or commercial use, a ® symbol or a ™ symbol may be displayed on tags, packaging, or in small print to indicate the seal is a legally protected mark.
Administration & Permission
All uses of the University seal on ceremonial items, merchandise, or digital assets, must receive approval from University Marketing and Communications. The use of SIUE’s trademarks also requires formal approval (in the form of a license) from University Marketing and Communications or its licensing partner.
Permission requests should be directed to marketing@siue.edu. The Cougar Store, located in the Morris University Center, manages official seal merchandise in collaboration with UMC.
