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Symbols of Our Tradition:
Icons of Ripon's Past and Present
Adapted from an essay by Ric Damm, Office of College Relations
Ripon College prides itself in its unique heritage. As much a part of the history of the College are the symbols which have come to represent the institution and its tradition.
While its history remains permanent, the symbols of the College have evolved over the years. The institution has adapted to changing times and changing leaders and so, too, have its icons.
The College Seal
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The first icon was adopted in 1855 in the form of the Brockway College seal. Brockway was the second name of the institution - the Lyceum of Ripon being the first - named for William S. Brockway who presented the winning bid of $250 in an auction to name the College.
The Brockway seal featured a female figure with a cornet and star on her forehead. In her right hand she held a telescope and in her left a shield bearing a crop from which diverged rays of light. |
The influence of the Christian church was evident in this first seal. Circling the figure in Latin were the words from Psalms 11-16 "In virtute Domini Dei ibo," or "I will go in the strength of the Lord God." Encircling the entire seal were the words "Brockway College, Wisconsin 1855."
When Brockway officially became Ripon College in 1864, a new seal was obviously needed. It wasn't until 1868, however, when the Ripon seal was adopted as the official seal of the Board of Trustees of Ripon College. The new seal also revealed the influence of the church, including the Latin phrase "Fides Christi Scientia," or "Faith in Christ is Knowledge." William E. Merriman, president of the College from 1863-76, was a known "churchman" as referred to in Ripon College: A History. During his tenure, the College received active support of churches in the central and northern part of Wisconsin, especially from the Congregationalists.
"[Ripon] is a Christian college, under the influence of the Congregationalists," said Merriman concerning the College's relationship with the church. Although Ripon was free of church control and open to students of any denomination or belief, it was under this atmosphere of Christian morality that the seal was adopted.
The Ceremonial Mace
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Like the seal, the ceremonial mace, carried by the faculty marshal at the head of the academic procession for commencement and other formal ceremonies in which faculty process, was created based on Christian values. A relic from the ancient city and collegium of Ripon, England, the mace signifies the continuity of tradition between the new world and the old.
The presentation of the mace to the College, Nov. 19, 1946, by Rev. Edward N. West, Canon Sacrist of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine of New York, marked the opening of Ripon's centennial observances which culminated in 1951. West made the presentation on behalf of G. Birchenough, dean and chapter of Ripon Cathedral, Yorkshire, England. In his presentation address he offered the mace to Ripon College as a "time-honored emblem of an august body corporate."
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The silver cross at the top of the Mace is of an ancient English pattern. The stone is one cut from the church which St. Wilfred built in Ripon, England, in the year 670. On one face of the silver knob is the Agnus Dei seal taken from a twelfth century rendering of the seal of the Collegium of St. Wilfred, Ripon. Above the shield is the date of St. Wilfred's foundation, and circling it is this legend. Eduxit Me Latitudinem (He led me forth into a place of liberty,) and the Latin letters for 1850, the year of Ripon's foundation in the new world.
On the reverse is the seal of Ripon College, and surrounding it the legend, Attendite Ad Petram Unde Excisi Estis (Look unto the rock whence ye are hewn). The rest of the silver and oak Mace is modeled after one made for Winchester Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The detailed design and the fabrication was done by Black, Starr and Gorham under the supervision of Mr. Louis Glazier.
Having endured nearly 50 years of ceremonial processions at the College, the mace underwent restoration in 1994. Gene Kain, assistant professor of art and gallery director, reconstructed the mace's oak staff and Diedrich Jewelry Co. of Ripon replated its two silver pieces. The new mace made its first appearance in the Spring 1995 Awards Convocation.
A Time for Change
In the mid 1980s, the College sought to develop a comprehensive identity program. Though the seal continues to be used as a formal icon of the College, appearing on more formal college publications, stationary, plaques and banners, a more flexible and contemporary image was in demand, according to Douglas Northrop, professor of English and chair of the department and vice president and dean of the College from 1979-94.
Northrop says there was a significant push under William R. Stott Jr., president of the College from 1985-95, to produce a coherent and consistent identity for the College. "Much of the effort was designed to create and to express a pride in the institution, which had regularly kept its light under a basket or at least hidden in the trees," says Northrop.
In 1985, the College hired Rotelli Design, Inc. of Chicago to design a logo that would distinctively convey the traditional image of Ripon College yet be flexible. Rotelli worked with campus officials to produce recommendations to assist Ripon in presenting a consistent, well- defined image to its external publics. The Ripon College logo type, or Carolus Roman, was adopted at the recommendation of Rotelli and is still used on college publications, including this magazine.
"We worked for a consistent typeface and colors of ink on stationary, posters, brochures and other college objects, including plant department vehicles and other equipment," says Northrop.
Ripon has consistently had a historic affiliation with the color red. At Rotelli's recommendation, a deep red, specifically Pantone Matching System (PMS) color number 201, was adopted as the College's official color. |
The Clock Tower
| Since its construction in 1944, Harwood Memorial Union has served as the central gathering place of the College. The clock tower which sits atop the union is an easily recognizable fixture and icon of the campus.
For that reason, the clock tower was chosen for a new college logo in 1991. Designed by Lee Shippey, art department assistant, the logo was chosen because it illustrates Ripon's traditional philosophies while maintaining the college's contemporary and progressive nature, according to Loren Boone, director of college relations.
The new logo is commonly used on less formal college publications, as well as the facility signs located on campus. |
Continued Efforts
The College continues to maintain its tradition and secure its national identity through the use of its icons. In the competitive field of higher education, especially among private colleges, identity plays a pivotal role in admission and fund raising, says Boone.
To assist the College in consistent presentation through promotion and publications, the Office of College Relations has developed an institutional graphic identity manual. The manual, according to Boone, serves as a guide for use of college icons.
Through the continued implementation of strategies like the manual, Boone says Ripon will be successful in building and preserving strong national identity.
Inscription on the entrance to the library
The inscription above the entrance to Lane Library, Ripon College: "...HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT" is from the Bible: John 3: 21 which reads as follows: "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
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