Writer Henry Sikora thinks its time for the university to update its outward face.
Writer Henry Sikora thinks its time for the university to update its outward face.
As the cold begins to descend on Chicago, Loyola students will flock to the campus bookstore in search of hats to protect their beautiful brains from winter’s nip. Once there, they’ll be met with a wall of beanies fit for the job, every last one branded with an all-too-familiar furry face — the logo of Loyola University Chicago.
It’s time for this tired design to be reimagined. There’s enormous potential to create a logo that better reflects the spirit of our university — the warmth of its community, the majesty of its campus and the richness of its traditions. Loyola’s beautiful in every sense of the word, and it deserves a logo which embodies said beauty.
LU Wolf’s face is the essence of lifelessness and ambiguity, all plastered next to a needlessly girthy golden “L.” It feels outdated, while lacking the dignified taste older emblems — like Loyola’s Shield — successfully convey. The other logo’s drab colors, menacing eyes and indiscernible expression have been inspiring a distorted sense of Loyola since 2012.
Though it may seem trivial, a logo plays a crucial role in establishing the identity of a university. For those unfamiliar with an academic institution, their first impression often arises from the imagery it projects. The logo should embody a university’s spirit and purpose — and right now ours falls short.
Loyola needs a new logo. A logo students will be as proud to display as they are of the Loyola name.
There would be no use making this argument if we were saddled with some hopeless mascot, but fortunately this isn’t the case.
The wolf, as a symbol, carries deep meaning, representing courage, loyalty and intelligence according to the National Park Service. These qualities align wonderfully with the essence of Loyola.
Courage is embodied in the university’s commitment to fearlessly embrace the future. Loyalty shines through the deep bonds formed within the community. Intelligence is reflected in the university’s dedication to academic excellence and intellectual growth. Together, these qualities make the wolf a fitting mascot for Loyola.
Moreover, wolves are awesome. A wolf logo can convey ferocity, elegance, heart and wildness, qualities which resonate with Loyola students’ spirit and values.
It’s thrilling to consider how a new Loyola logo might look. Perhaps the maroon silhouette of a wolf howling within a golden moon. Maybe a noble and naturalistic portrait which captures the wolf’s fierce, yet graceful demeanor. It could be an innovative and imaginative interpretation. The possibilities are truly limitless.
This article isn’t meant as a pitch for a specific new design. Rather, it’s a call to recognize we can and should do better than the current logo. As it stands, our lackluster logo reeks of complacency, quietly fulfilling its role without causing offense. Loyola is so much more than that, why shouldn’t our logo reflect the university’s boldness and beauty?
Ultimately, a redesign goes beyond aesthetics. It’s an opportunity to capture our institution’s distinctive essence and revitalize our image. It could mark a bold step into the future. Let us create a logo to inspire pride, honor our history and reflect the true spirit of Loyola — one students, alumni and the entire community can proudly adorn and cherish for years to come.
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