A History of Marquette University's Logos and Seals

Marquette University, a private Jesuit research university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1881. Over the years, the university's visual identity, including its logos, seals, and athletic monograms, has evolved to reflect its mission, values, and relationship with its community. This article explores the history of these symbols, highlighting the key changes and the reasons behind them.

The Early Years and the Original Seal

Marquette University was founded 145 years ago on August 28, 1881, as Marquette College by John Martin Henni, the first Catholic bishop of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The university was named after 17th-century missionary and explorer Father Jacques Marquette. The official Marquette University seal, originally designed by the Rev. Francis J. Kemphues, S.J., has been in use since the turn of the century. The first seal was worn as a button by early Marquette students. In 1907, the button design was altered to include the motto, “Numen Flumenque,” “God and River.” During the 1994 - 95 academic year, the university seal was modified to include the year of the university’s founding, 1881.

The Marquette University seal consists of two parts enclosed within a blue circular band that includes the year of the university’s founding, 1881. The upper half bears the motto "Numen Flumenque" (meaning “God and the [Mississippi] River”) and the coat of arms of the Loyola family in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. The gold and red diagonal bands honor seven heroes from the House of Onaz, the maternal side of Ignatius’ parentage, who distinguished themselves in battle. The lower half depicts Father Jacques Marquette, the 17th-century Jesuit missionary and explorer after whom the university is named, who lived among various Great Lakes tribes for nine years while seeking to win their commitment to the Gospel. The American Indian represents the numerous native people who accompanied and guided Father Marquette on his explorations of the western Great Lakes and the Mississippi River system.

The Evolution of the Marquette Logo

The Marquette University logo has undergone three significant changes throughout the university’s history, and each version has been presentable and striking. However, the latest version of the identity proved the most successful and remains in use today. This version stands out for originality, where each logo element is carefully thought out and executed uniquely. The detailing and refinement of the elements, the harmonious color scheme, and the well-conceived background create the impression that the logo almost comes to life before you.

Before 2001: A Simple and Bold Design

The Marquette University logo appeared sometime after the private Jesuit educational institution was established. The creators aimed to make it the organization’s calling card, and they succeeded: the carefully selected fonts and monochrome background effectively highlighted the text. The first logo employed two methods to attract attention: the contrast between the dark and light backgrounds and the differences in fonts and color schemes, which were intentionally opposed to each other. This gave the logo vibrancy and emphasized the uniqueness of the educational and research university.

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Placing the university’s name in two rows was not an innovative decision, but separating the second word of the lower row by several spaces significantly improved the text’s readability and the logo’s overall appearance. This approach made the logo stand out, making it more expressive and easier to remember. The older version of the Marquette University logo featured an intense navy blue and white composition with the “Marquette” written in white capitals of a bold serif typeface, across a solid blue rectangular banner, and the “University” - in smaller caps, in navy-blue, under the banner. Both lines are set in one type, which makes the simple badge look very well-balanced.

2001-2003: A Modern and Minimalist Approach

In 2001, minimalism became the foundation of the new identity, giving the logo a fresh and modern look. The university’s name is now on a solid, light background, making it visually appealing. The letters are arranged in two rows in blue, creating a harmonious and elegant image. The redesign of 2001 has made the Marquette University badge look lighter and more elegant. Now both parts of the lettering were set in a medium-dark shade of blue, against a plain white background, without any colorful or graphical additions. The main part of the inscription, “Marquette”, was written in the center of the composition with the first capital “M” significantly enlarged and emboldened. As for the “University” part, it was set in small uppercase characters under the right part of the main wordmark.

The capital letter “M” is highlighted on a large scale, emphasizing its significance and symbolizing the high status of the university, founded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The letter occupies the left part of the logo, connecting the two words into a unified name, giving the logo a sense of completeness. Special attention is given to the font details: the letters gradually taper towards the edges, forming sharp, arrow-like endings. This design element adds dynamism and modernity to the logo. The unique approach to the design of certain letters, such as the “r,” where the edge resembles a comma, brings a touch of originality to the logo, making it easily memorable and recognizable.

2003-Present: Incorporating Marquette Hall

By mid-2003, the university’s logo had become a completely new, unique appearance, a true masterpiece of identity. This new emblem was a visual update and a symbol that the university continues to grow, expand its potential, and affirm its high status. As a result, it became a representation of the university’s commitment to honoring traditions and helping students gain fundamental knowledge, reflecting the institution’s historical significance. The Marquette University logo, revised in 1995, is comprised of the words "Marquette University" and a graphic representation of the Marquette Hall tower.

The logo exudes grandeur and is filled with information that can be interpreted on different levels. It gives the impression that the depicted building is nearly real, and the sound of the bells can almost be heard just by looking at the logo. It is important to note that the logo represents a complex element where the image and text play equally important roles. The large, tall letters of the first row symbolize the strong foundation on which the university stands. In contrast, the second row complements and completes the overall composition, giving the logo a finished and harmonious appearance.

The designers successfully created a stylish and elegant logo that effectively highlighted Marquette University’s uniqueness. The logo’s prominent graphic depiction of Marquette Hall emphasizes that knowledge is timeless and remains a lasting value that never loses relevance. The letters in the word “Marquette” are unusually designed. The upper parts of the letters are connected by a single element, symbolizing unity and integrity, which remain inseparable and eternal. This element adds profound meaning to the logo, underscoring the idea that the university’s knowledge and traditions are bound by strong ties that cannot be broken. The logo is rather heavy in detail and works best in larger sizes. The logo showcases a stylized depiction of the Marquette Hall tower. It is a Gothic bell tower that houses the university carillon. Every week, it plays music that can be heard in different corners of the campus. On the emblem, the tower is dark yellow. It is housed inside a dark blue box.

The lettering “Marquette University” can be seen below. It is also dark blue and features a serif type with classic proportions. There are several unique details, though, including the double “T” linked into a single glyph and the unusual top of the “A,” to name just a few. Below, there is also the tagline “Be the Difference” separated by the wordmark by a horizontal bar. It is set in a different type, a heavy sans serif. The full stop after the text emphasizes its importance. According to the university, the tagline on the Marquette logo conveys its aim to help students become the sort of leaders who makes meaningful contributions to their community, those “who will Be The Difference in their communities.” In September 2002, the tag line "Be The Difference." was added. This expression simply conveys Marquette's educational promise: to form women and men for others, to help students and the entire Marquette community become the kind of leaders who will make important contributions, who will Be The Difference in their communities.

The Athletics Monogram

The athletics monogram was designed for the express use of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports. The interlocking "M" and "U" depict the teamwork that is a hallmark of our school's athletics. The classic styling of the letters indicates the long history of athletics excellence at Marquette. The monogram combines the letters “M” and “U” in yellow with dark blue trim. The interlocking glyphs symbolize teamwork, which, according to the university, is “a hallmark of Marquette athletics.” The glyphs have a traditional shape, with pronounced serifs. This is supposed to remind the university’s long history in athletics.

The Evolution of the Marquette Golden Eagles Logo

The inception of the Marquette Golden Eagles, synonymous with Marquette University’s athletic identity, traces back to the university’s early days in 1881. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this institution’s foray into sports began with modest ambitions but has since flourished into a celebrated chapter in collegiate athletics. The story of the Golden Eagles is one of growth and ambition, mirroring the developmental arc of Marquette University itself.

1971-1994: The Warrior Logo

The side view of a warrior was the centerpiece of the Marquette Golden Eagles logo developed in 1971. The warrior was given in dark blue and a very dark shade of gold. He was wearing a helmet and had the words “Marquette Warriors” (the old name of the team) arched around him.

1994-2005: The Golden Eagle in Flight

When the team was renamed Golden Eagles, the need for a new emblem emerged. The 1994 logo features an eagle in flight. The position of the wings implies he is ready to attack.

2005-Present: Typographic Emphasis

Eventually, in 2005, the team decided to make its emblem primarily typographic. The eagle disappeared from the Marquette Golden Eagles logo. Now, you could only see the large interlocking letters “M” and “U” with the word “Marquette” arched on the forefront.

Nicknames and Mascots: A Journey of Change

Marquette's athletic teams have gone by several names throughout their history, reflecting evolving attitudes and priorities.

Early Nicknames: Blue and Gold, Hilltoppers, and Golden Avalanche

In 1892, Marquette’s football team was established. Students would wear blue and gold to games, which led to the university’s first unofficial nickname: the Blue and Gold. In the 1910s, students began referring to themselves by another unofficial name: the Hilltoppers. Along with the Hilltoppers, the Golden Avalanche was also a popular nickname for Marquette in the early 20th century. The Avalanche specifically referred to Marquette’s football program at the time. The nickname Golden Avalanche generally fell out of favor after about 1937.

The Warrior Era: Controversy and Change

In 1954, the student senate announced Marquette’s newest mascot: the Warrior. First, it related to the university’s namesake Rev. Jacques Marquette, who had a relationship with Native Americans - as guides and students - through his travels, and there was a Native American on the university seal. It also fit in with the many other sports teams in Milwaukee around the time, like the baseball team the Milwaukee Braves and the football team the Milwaukee Chiefs. Nearly a decade later, in 1961, the student senate hosted a “Name the Warrior” competition. The winner was the infamous Willie Wampum. However, it didn’t last.

In the early 1970s, Willie Wampum, a caricature representation of a Native American with a giant cartoonish head and Indigenous clothing, was deemed offensive by Fr. James Groppi. After protests from Native American students, the student senate decided on the First Warrior mascot in 1980. The costume was made to represent six Wisconsin tribes - the Chippewa, Menominee, Winnebago, Stockbridge, Munsee and Potawatomi. Mark Denning, a 1983 Marquette alum of Native American descent, was one student to portray the First Warrior. While the Warriors remained a popular but unofficial nickname for university teams, in 1984 students voted on a new mascot: Bleuteaux. A blue French puppet, he was often seen wearing a blue and gold beret.

The Golden Eagles: A New Identity

In 1993, Marquette discontinued its association with “the Warriors” entirely and in 1994 the university became the Golden Eagles. Rev. Albert J. DiUlio, the university president at the time, offered students two choices: the Lightning or the Golden Eagles. At the 2004 graduation commencement, Wayne R. Sanders, vice chairman of the board at the time and former chief executive of Kimberly-Clark, said that he and another anonymous trustee would donate $2 million to Marquette if the university were to reinstate the Warriors mascot.

The Brief Reign of "The Gold" and the Return of the Golden Eagles

In 2004, the university’s board of trustees voted on a new name - the Gold - without input from the Marquette community. The decision resulted in student uproar. “The Gold?” Wade said in an ESPN interview. “I got to make a phone call to Marquette … I don’t know about that one. Marquette Gold. The Gold! The name was short-lived, and by 2005, after student protests, Marquette was considering a number of names. Today, Iggy the Golden Eagle attends sports games and student events embodying Marquette’s school spirit. During the summer of 2020, Marquette University finally gave its mascot, the Golden Eagle, an official name: Iggy, after St. Ignatius of Loyola.

A New Seal for a New Era

On February 28, 2022, the Marquette board of trustees approved an updated university seal and motto. The change was aimed to "reflect Marquette's history, tradition, and catholic, Jesuit mission, and more accurately depict the role of the Indigenous nations that guided Father Marquette on his journey". The updated seal removes an image depicting Fr. Marquette in a canoe pointing the way forward for a Native American guide and replaces it with an image of a river splitting into three, representing the Milwaukee, the Menomonee, and the Kinnickinnic rivers, and three stalks of wild rice in the foreground, to represent the Potawatomi, Menominee, and Ho-Chunk nations, who remain in the Milwaukee area today. With the seal change also came a change to the university's motto.

Formed by President Michael R. Lovell in early 2020, the university seal committee aimed to update the university seal to reflect Marquette’s history, tradition and Catholic, Jesuit mission, and more accurately depict the role of the Indigenous nations that guided Father Marquette on his journey. Milwaukee-based Oneida artist Kristelle M. Ulrich contributed to the creative design of the updated university seal. “University seals are important symbols meant to celebrate an institution’s founding, heritage and purpose, and these often complex histories deserve thoughtful, reverential illustrations of our pasts,” President Lovell says. “As we have been called to reflect on our own symbols, it became clear that Marquette University needs a seal that aligns with our mission, vision and guiding values and reaffirms our Statement on Human Dignity and Diversity. We likewise sought to create a seal with a sense of history, purpose, pride, and healing that supports the efforts of institutional change, progress, and reconciliation. The updated university seal is a beautiful reflection of who we are and what we stand for.”

“The new seal has emerged after months of listening and conversation. We think it grounds the university in the tradition of St. Ignatius and also recognizes how Father Jacques Marquette was helped by Native Americans on his journeys in the Midwest,” says Rev. Greg O’Meara, S.J., rector of the Marquette Jesuit Community. “It helps us remember that all journeys in our lives rely on the help of companions. It is thus a fitting metaphor for the educational mission of Marquette University.” “Seeing the progress that the Office of Marketing and Communication, in conjunction with Kristelle Ulrich, has made on Marquette’s seal really inspired me when I first saw it last week,” says Alex Liberato, a 2021 alumnus and former leader of the Native American Student Association. “The narrative style’s connection to our Indigenous history, along with the classic Jesuit imagery, tells a story of a combined but independent history of our Indigenous nations and the Jesuit travelers.”

It is important to recognize that the university seal differs from the university logo and athletics monogram. Marquette’s official seal is used on approved official and presidential documents and events. In addition, the seal is embedded into high-profile spots on campus, including on an outdoor archway and in several buildings. Chaired by Rana Altenburg, associate vice president of public affairs, the seal committee included members representing:

Marquette’s Jesuit community
Native American community members (as represented by Marquette University’s Council on Native American Affairs)
Faculty from the Department of History, the Department of English, the College of Business Administration and the Law School
Native American undergraduate and graduate student body
Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Office of the President
University Advancement
University Relations

The university is developing a phased process for updating the seal on items and in locations across campus over time.

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