News Article

The new logo will be used on all non-athletic letterhead and business cards, and will represent the university on signs, vehicles and in various uses around campus. While the new logo is being introduced today, it will be used concurrently with the former logo while current supplies of paper goods are depleted. University President Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., has asked all departments to try to use the refreshed logo exclusively by the start of the new academic year in September 2006. The former logo will cease to be used entirely by Dec. 31, 2006.

The introduction of a refreshed logo coincides with the completion of a $148 million capital campaign in October, and a two-year-long strategic planning exercise that is nearing completion. The strategic plan to guide GU through the next six years will be completed by year’s end.

“Think of the university’s logo as one of its hardest working employees, one that must represent the university and its mission in countless situations,” said CK Anderson, principal with Anderson Mraz Design of Spokane, which helped Gonzaga interview constituents about the university logo, its uses and how it represents Gonzaga, as well as design the refreshed logo. “And just like human employees, ‘design’ employees require regular performance reviews.”

When Gonzaga began this process of evaluating its mark, university personnel conducted reaearch on developing a brand, and with Anderson interviewed more than 50 constituents – from students, staff and faculty, to alumni, Jesuits, Trustees and Regents – to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the logo.

What they found was that the former logo contained many strong attributes, including the tradition and heritage of the school. But it also had shortcomings. It was difficult to reproduce in smaller sizes, the pen and ink drawing of the Administration Building and St. Aloysius Church was indistinguishable to those who had not been on campus before, and the word GONZAGA lacked prominence.

 “The new mark preserves the brand equity inherent in the current logo, a mark that holds immeasurable value to alumni, faculty, staff and students,” said Anderson.

“A brand produces emotion,” said Margot Stanfield, Gonzaga’s vice president for University Relations. “It’s what someone feels when they see or think about the name ‘Gonzaga’.”

The refreshed logo began appearing on campus this morning as metal banner signs that surround the campus border were installed. Large vinyl banners also hang above the Administration Building and Crosby Student Center today, and will stay there through the weekend.

A lot has changed in the past decade. Gonzaga has constructed or renovated 14 buildings on campus. Enrollment has increased from 4,400 to 6,400 students overall. New faculty and administrative positions have been added, and new programs have emerged to celebrate Gonzaga’s mission in the areas of faith, justice, service, ethics and leadership. And Bulldog men’s basketball has grown into one of the nation’s elite programs.

“But with all the changes, the heart and soul of Gonzaga University have not changed,” said Rev. Spitzer.

Only the image has been refreshed.