{"id":52087,"date":"2025-05-20T09:49:09","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/?p=52087"},"modified":"2025-05-20T13:25:58","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T17:25:58","slug":"seal-emblem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/seal-emblem\/","title":{"rendered":"You Have It on a Sweatshirt\u2014But Where Did It Come From?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size\">A history lesson on Cornell iconography, from the emblem bearing the \u2018I would found \u2026\u2019 motto to the Great Seal on your sheepskin<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By <strong>Joe Wilensky<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">That diploma hanging on your wall bears a miniature artwork\u2014the Great Seal\u2014connecting it to more than a century and a half of Big Red history. It&#8217;s just a year younger than the University itself: trustees authorized the creation of a Cornell seal in 1866, at their fourth official meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Measuring two inches wide, the original seal bears Ezra&#8217;s profile, encircled by \u201cCornell University,\u201d \u201cFounded A.D. 1865,\u201d and \u201c\u2018I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study\u2019\u2014Ezra Cornell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Cornell\u2019s first several decades, a small, hand-operated embosser was used to emblazon it on every diploma. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The process was eventually automated, but the device and seal survive, residing in the University Archives in Kroch Library.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"559\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A.jpg\" alt=\"the Great Seal, shown in detail on a Cornell University diploma from 1873\" class=\"wp-image-52082 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A.jpg 570w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A-300x294.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A-316x310.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A-400x392.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A-200x196.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/seal_on_1873_diploma_REX027_134_02-A-100x98.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">rare and manuscript collections<\/figcaption><figcaption>The seal on an 1873 diploma.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But practically from the beginning, Ezra\u2019s profile adorned far more than sheepskins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Numerous novelties\u2014pennants, coasters, matchbooks, and more\u2014bore the Great Seal design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And soon after trustees approved the seal, a metal alloy copy was cast\u2014one that (possibly) continues to play a ceremonial role today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"857\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A.jpg\" alt=\"The original hand-operated embosser that imprinted the Great Seal on Cornell University diplomas for its first several decades\" class=\"wp-image-52083 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A.jpg 570w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A-525x790.jpg 525w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A-263x395.jpg 263w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A-333x500.jpg 333w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A-166x250.jpg 166w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/University-seal-embosser-A-83x125.jpg 83w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 570px) 100vw, 570px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">rare and manuscript collections<\/figcaption><figcaption>The original embosser.<\/figcaption><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>It debuted at A.D. White\u2019s 1868 inauguration, when New York\u2019s lieutenant governor placed it into his hands\u2014along with keys to University buildings\u2014after 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(Or is it? According to University Archivist Evan Earle \u201902, MS \u201914, that object may in fact be yet another copy, perhaps recast for Cornell&#8217;s centennial in 1965. But in any event, it has pride of place when Big Red presidents are inaugurated.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the late 1800s, the Cornell Foundry cast a number of oversized versions of the seal\u2014some of which depict Ezra facing in the opposite direction from the original\u2014measuring nearly three feet in diameter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>They can still be seen around campus\u2014including atop Eddy Gate in Collegetown, at the Botanic Gardens, and over the McGraw Tower entrance adjacent to Uris Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, a one-inch signet version, called the \u201ccorporate seal,\u201d omits the Ezra quote. It\u2019s used, according to Cornell bylaws, \u201cin the execution of all other instruments or official documents of the University requiring the use of a seal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>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.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But whence the modern Cornell emblem\u2014the one you know so well, that adorns countless mugs, sweatshirts, baseball caps, paperweights, bumper stickers, and more?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the early 20th century, a faculty committee (chaired by \u201cTee Fee\u201d Crane, of \u201cGive My Regards to Davy\u201d fame) developed the now-iconic \u201cshield\u201d insignia, intended for non-official and decorative uses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignwide has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"52080\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"the original finalized &quot;shield&quot; design for the new Cornell emblem, 1911\" class=\"wp-image-52080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-1264x1264.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-632x632.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-316x316.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/emblem_1_crop-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"934\" height=\"929\" data-id=\"52078\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A.jpg\" alt=\"the current decorative emblem of Cornell University\" class=\"wp-image-52078\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A.jpg 934w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-300x298.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-768x764.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-632x629.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-316x314.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-400x398.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-200x199.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/CUEmblem_official-A-100x99.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">The shield design as approved in 1911, and the circular emblem still in use today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It held two design competitions\u2014one cheeky submission reportedly comprised an ear of corn and a capital \u201cL\u201d\u2014and even awarded prizes, but judges remained unsatisfied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" class=\"wp-block-rkv-carousel rkv-swiper swiper is-caption-align-center\"><div class=\"alignfull swiper-buttons\"><div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div><div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-1024x524.jpg\" alt=\"a Cornell pennant with a stylized version of the Great Seal at its center, including the text &quot;The Cornell University&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-52081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-1024x524.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-768x393.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-1536x786.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-1264x647.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-632x324.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-316x162.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-400x205.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-200x102.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A-100x51.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/IMG_7495-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Vitaliy Darovskikh \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A vintage \u201cThe Cornell University\u201d design on a pennant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"a large, stylized version of the Great Seal on the facade of Day Hall on campus\" class=\"wp-image-52079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-1264x843.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-632x421.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-316x211.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Day_Hall_Great_Seal_1393_05_03-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">cornell university<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A stylized version on the Day Hall fa\u00e7ade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"a portrait medallion of Ezra Cornell is set into the Eddy Gate in Collegetown, just outside the Cornell campus\" class=\"wp-image-52086\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-632x421.jpeg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-316x210.jpeg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-400x266.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-200x133.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select-100x67.jpeg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/Eddy_Gate_medallion_0608_14_002_select.jpeg 1117w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">On Eddy Gate (with Ezra facing the opposite way).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Cornell emblem and insignia, as it appears on the facade of the Cornell Club\u2013NYC in Manhattan\" class=\"wp-image-52075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-1264x843.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-632x421.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-316x211.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/0148_13_147-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Jason Koski \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"> The emblem on the exterior of the Cornell Club in NYC.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo.png\" alt=\"current version of Cornell insignia and emblem for online use\" class=\"wp-image-52179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo.png 600w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo-316x316.png 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/cornell-university-logo-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A simplified version, used online and elsewhere.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large rkv-carousel__image swiper-slide is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"The two-and-a-half-inch Great Seal medallion is examined by Cornell University Library archivists in a secure location on campus\" class=\"wp-image-52076\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/2025_1186_009.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">Jason Koski \/ Cornell University<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">University archivists examine the medallion in spring 2025.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p> It includes the U.S. shield and a portion of the New York State coat of arms above an open book bearing the \u201c\u2026 any person \u2026 any study\u201d motto, set against a carnelian-and-white background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote alignwide is-style-solid-color\"><blockquote><p>In the early 20th century, a faculty committee developed the now-iconic &#8216;shield&#8217; insignia, intended for non-official and decorative uses.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The emblem was tweaked throughout the 20th century: the top of the shield was flattened, for example, and occasionally a wavy border was added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the early 2000s, a streamlined version was created for online use and visual branding, but the detailed emblem endures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Cornell\u2019s 14th president, Martha E. Pollack, is inaugurated during ceremonies on campus in 2017\" class=\"wp-image-52084\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-608x342.jpg 608w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-304x171.jpg 304w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-152x85.jpg 152w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-1184x666.jpg 1184w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-592x333.jpg 592w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-296x166.jpg 296w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-1264x711.jpg 1264w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-632x356.jpg 632w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-316x178.jpg 316w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-400x225.jpg 400w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-200x113.jpg 200w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/alumni.cornell.edu\/cornellians\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/05\/UP_2017_1065_005-A.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"rkv-image-credit\">cornell university<\/figcaption><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The seal medallion (being held second from right, next to the University Charter) during Martha Pollack&#8217;s inauguration in 2017.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be found\u2014among other places\u2014on 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, of course, it graces countless merch items at the Cornell Store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Top: The Great Seal medallion. (Jason Koski \/ Cornell University.) <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Published May 20, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator aligncenter has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A history lesson on Cornell iconography, from the emblem bearing the \u2018I would found \u2026\u2019 motto to the Great Seal on your sheepskin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":52077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"alumni_hub_syml_posts":[48719,45954,51462],"footnotes":""},"categories":[224],"tags":[],"cornell_year_post":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-52087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cornelliana"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>You Have It on a Sweatshirt\u2014But Where Did It Come From? 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