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You Have It on a Sweatshirt—But Where Did It Come From?

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A history lesson on Cornell iconography, from the emblem bearing the ‘I would found …’ motto to the Great Seal on your sheepskin

By Joe Wilensky

That diploma hanging on your wall bears a miniature artwork—the Great Seal—connecting it to more than a century and a half of Big Red history. It's just a year younger than the University itself: trustees authorized the creation of a Cornell seal in 1866, at their fourth official meeting.

Measuring two inches wide, the original seal bears Ezra's profile, encircled by “Cornell University,” “Founded A.D. 1865,” and “‘I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study’—Ezra Cornell.”

For Cornell’s first several decades, a small, hand-operated embosser was used to emblazon it on every diploma.

The process was eventually automated, but the device and seal survive, residing in the University Archives in Kroch Library.

the Great Seal, shown in detail on a Cornell University diploma from 1873 — rare and manuscript collections

But practically from the beginning, Ezra’s profile adorned far more than sheepskins.

Numerous novelties—pennants, coasters, matchbooks, and more—bore the Great Seal design.

And soon after trustees approved the seal, a metal alloy copy was cast—one that (possibly) continues to play a ceremonial role today.

The original hand-operated embosser that imprinted the Great Seal on Cornell University diplomas for its first several decades — rare and manuscript collections

It debuted at A.D. White’s 1868 inauguration, when New York’s lieutenant governor placed it into his hands—along with keys to University buildings—after administering the oath of office. Now kept in a small wooden box in secure storage, the medallion is still brought out for display during presidential inaugurations.

(Or is it? According to University Archivist Evan Earle ’02, MS ’14, that object may in fact be yet another copy, perhaps recast for Cornell's centennial in 1965. But in any event, it has pride of place when Big Red presidents are inaugurated.)

In the late 1800s, the Cornell Foundry cast a number of oversized versions of the seal—some of which depict Ezra facing in the opposite direction from the original—measuring nearly three feet in diameter.

They can still be seen around campus—including atop Eddy Gate in Collegetown, at the Botanic Gardens, and over the McGraw Tower entrance adjacent to Uris Library.

Meanwhile, a one-inch signet version, called the “corporate seal,” omits the Ezra quote. It’s used, according to Cornell bylaws, “in the execution of all other instruments or official documents of the University requiring the use of a seal.”

In the late 1800s, the Cornell Foundry cast several oversized versions of the seal, measuring nearly three feet in diameter. They can still be seen around campus.

But whence the modern Cornell emblem—the one you know so well, that adorns countless mugs, sweatshirts, baseball caps, paperweights, bumper stickers, and more?

In the early 20th century, a faculty committee (chaired by “Tee Fee” Crane, of “Give My Regards to Davy” fame) developed the now-iconic “shield” insignia, intended for non-official and decorative uses.

the original finalized "shield" design for the new Cornell emblem, 1911 — The shield design as approved in 1911, and the circular emblem still in use today.

the current decorative emblem of Cornell University — The shield design as approved in 1911, and the circular emblem still in use today.

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It held two design competitions—one cheeky submission reportedly comprised an ear of corn and a capital “L”—and even awarded prizes, but judges remained unsatisfied.

Ultimately, the University hired a Philadelphia-based design firm; it created the shield-shaped, three-section emblem that trustees approved in 1911, and which more or less endures to this day.

a Cornell pennant with a stylized version of the Great Seal at its center, including the text "The Cornell University" — Vitaliy Darovskikh / Cornell University

a large, stylized version of the Great Seal on the facade of Day Hall on campus — cornell university

a portrait medallion of Ezra Cornell is set into the Eddy Gate in Collegetown, just outside the Cornell campus — Cornell University

The Cornell emblem and insignia, as it appears on the facade of the Cornell Club–NYC in Manhattan — Jason Koski / Cornell University

A simplified version, used online and elsewhere.

The two-and-a-half-inch Great Seal medallion is examined by Cornell University Library archivists in a secure location on campus — Jason Koski / Cornell University

It includes the U.S. shield and a portion of the New York State coat of arms above an open book bearing the “… any person … any study” motto, set against a carnelian-and-white background.

In the early 20th century, a faculty committee developed the now-iconic 'shield' insignia, intended for non-official and decorative uses.

The emblem was tweaked throughout the 20th century: the top of the shield was flattened, for example, and occasionally a wavy border was added.

By the early 2000s, a streamlined version was created for online use and visual branding, but the detailed emblem endures.

Cornell’s 14th president, Martha E. Pollack, is inaugurated during ceremonies on campus in 2017 — cornell university

It can be found—among other places—on lecterns at official events; inset into the pavement below the Myron Taylor Hall archway; on a banner in the Willard Straight Memorial Room; and outside the Cornell Club in NYC

And, of course, it graces countless merch items at the Cornell Store.

Top: The Great Seal medallion. (Jason Koski / Cornell University.)

Published May 20, 2025

Comments

Joseph Kirschner, Class of 1993
20 May, 2025

Thanks Joe for a great recap. I’ve always found the design “competition” for the new Emblem, or Coat of Arms, to be interesting. It actually took three years, commencing in 1908, for the Committee to approve a new design. In the second design competition of March 1910, the Committee was hoping the winner would be a student or alumnus.

For the second competition the Committee awarded the $200 prize to the firm of Bailey, Banks and Biddle of Philadelphia, for the best design of 150 submitted, and second prize of $150 to Edwin S. Healy, ’12, who also had won the first competition in 1909.

Although prizes were awarded to the best designs, the committee was not satisfied and neither design was adopted. In January, 1911, the committee finally selected a new deign, using the design from Bailey, Banks and Biddle (also the same designers for the coat of arms for the United States), with some changes. That design was approved by the Trustees in April 1911.

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You Have It on a Sweatshirt—But Where Did It Come From?

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