The Pennsylvania State University holds a unique place in the history of American higher education and intercollegiate athletics. From the formation of Penn State’s first baseball team in 1866 to the upcoming elevation of ice hockey to varsity status, the story of the Nittany Lions has been characterized by excellence both on the field and in the classroom.
Recent events have galvanized students, alumni and friends globally to ponder the meaning of what it is to be a Penn Stater. What hallmarks — or keystones — do we hold dear to our hearts? Such core values can be expressed in a singular, unique visual identity and brand that defines Penn State, collectively, to the world.
The goal of this branding renewal is to develop a new visual identity for the Nittany Lions; an identity that is bold, timeless, and captures the four keystones of Penn State intercollegiate athletics: TRADITION, INTEGRITY, PRIDE and STRENGTH.
No symbol illustrates the four keystones of Penn State intercollegiate athletics better than the keystone itself.
On the University Park campus, and throughout Pennsylvania as whole, examples of this powerful mark are seen in everyday life. From architecture to signs dotting the commonwealth’s bucolic villages and boroughs, the keystone has always been a ubiquitous symbol of Pennsylvania pride to both residents and visitors. This was not lost on early generations of Penn Staters, who wove the keystone into the fabric of their institution.
The keystone was embraced by students as early as the 1890s to demonstrate both their love for the college and their homeland. By the early 20th century, a keystone emblazened with the letter ‘S’ — for “State” — became an unofficial logo for the fledgling college’s varsity teams. However, after World War II, many of the college’s old venerable traditions were lost, and so to was the original keystone mark that represented Penn State.
Today, as students, alumni and friends of the University look for their own symbols of Penn State to turn to and rally around, now is the perfect time to bring back the keystone iconography that once was so strong among those who came before them. We can all take comfort in Penn State’s tradition — in addition to the integrity, pride and strength that the keystone symbolizes — as we move forward into the future that we wait.
The time is now for the keystone to be restored as a central icon of The Pennsylvania State University.
NEW PRIMARY MARK
NEW WORDMARKS
MONOCHROME