Seal of the University of North Dakota

 

The Seal of the University of North Dakota is a modification of the Great Seal of the State of
North Dakota, using much of the same symbolism. The symbols on the UND Seal include a tree
surrounded by three bundles of wheat, a plow, anvil and sledge, a bow crossed with three arrows and an Indian on horseback pursuing a buffalo toward the setting sun. The symbols represent the agricultural history of North Dakota, the values of industry and work, and North Dakota's Native American and pioneer heritage. The torch behind the badge represents the "light of knowledge." The date 1883 at the base of the badge indicates the year in which UND was founded. Surrounding the badge is a ring inscribed with "University of North Dakota" and the University motto Lux et Lex, which is Latin for "Light and Law."

The current seal is not the design first adopted on March 4, 1884. The original seal, created by a
Chicago advertising firm, featured the words "University of North Dakota" around an outer rim and an open book in the center containing the motto "Intelligence, the Basis of Civilization." These words were taken from the address given by David L. Kiehle, Minnesota's Superintendent of Public Instruction, October 2, 1883, at ceremonies laying the cornerstone of the University's first building. Dissatisfied with the original seal, a committee of students and faculty adopted the current seal in 1908 with the new motto Lux et Lex, inspired by Yale's motto Lux et Veritas, meaning "Light and Truth."

The colors pink and green, which remain the University's official colors, were chosen by the student body in 1889 when planning for UND's first commencement exercises. The choice was inspired by the pink and green of the prairie rose, North Dakota's official state flower, and "suggestive of our green prairies and rosy prospects." The official athletic colors became green and white when it was determined that green and pink would not elicit a proper measure of respect from UND's opponents. In practice, the green and white is expressed in several different shades of green and the occasional substitution of gray or black for white.

For a decade before 1917, there was a considerable movement to discard the pink and green for the more conventional and "masculine" colors of black and gold. In fact, from 1909 until 1917 UND President Frank L. McVey unofficially adopted the new colors, which would no doubt have become permanent, had it not been for protests from students and influential alumni.

 

REVISION RECORD
August 1, 2012 - Published