Piedmont University has been slowly rolling out its new branding, starting with updating the university’s Instagram profile picture and wrapping a car with the new logo that can be spotted around campus. The new logo highlights Piedmont University’s most prominent landmark, the pedestrian footbridge that connects campus and downtown Demorest. The bridge also holds significant meaning for Piedmont and its campus community. It is the first thing you see when you arrive on campus and the first thing you cross as an undergraduate student. Also, the bridge is seen by community members and passersby before they even realize that there is a college campus around them. On the front of the bridge, it reads “EST. 1897”, the year Piedmont was founded. The new logo displays green mountains behind the bridge. The mountains tie in with the meaning of the word “piedmont,” which is “an area at the base of a mountain or mountain range.” The university name appears under the bridge.
Although this is not the first rebrand for the university, this is the first time that students were involved in the process.
“I am excited to share this new logo with our university community, as it was developed by the creative minds of our talented students based on their beliefs about what makes Piedmont University unique,” said Marshall M. Criser III, Piedmont University’s President.
Piedmont University students Elizabeth Carter, Sam Brooks, Nico Eberhart, Clemente Mesian, Jesselle Witter and Professor Santanu Majumdar collaborated to create the new logo. The goal of students creating the logo was to fund the university’s true identity, as perceived by students.
The new logo came to fruition when President Criser asked a group of people for feedback on the chapel logo, and no one present felt that that logo matched what they felt Piedmont’s brand was. They also felt that the chapel logo felt deceiving and did not show the true nature of the university. After receiving this feedback, Zack Hoopaugh, Director of Marketing, mentioned the idea of a new logo in passing to Professor Majumdar. Then, the idea to have graphic design students create a new logo was created.
The goal of the new logo is to symbolize the connection between current students, prospective students, faculty and staff, and the community. Also, to highlight inclusivity and clarify the misconceived view that Piedmont is a predominantly religious school.
“A unified look and message enable us to present a comprehensive picture of a university whose component parts are working together to build greater recognition of Piedmont’s positive impact throughout our community and the state,” said Renee’ Fargason, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs.
