UIU to launch new brand identity and logos April 20

Since being founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University, a private, nonprofit university originating in Fayette, Iowa, has brought tens of thousands of people together in the name of higher learning. In addition, UIU’s athletics program and its beloved Peacock mascot have long been a source of pride for students, alumni, and others. Over the years, higher education and UIU have both evolved, with UIU now serving thousands of students each year through its Fayette Campus, 25 U.S. education centers, innovative online offerings, and even locations in Malaysia and Hong Kong.

But while UIU continued to advance at breakneck speed, the University and Peacock logos had not; both had begun showing their age. To better align with its innovative spirit while still maintaining a strong commitment to student success and tradition, UIU recently updated the University and Peacock logos. The new logos will be publicly unveiled for the first time at a Logo Launch Party at UIU’s Fayette Campus on Thursday, April 20.

The previous University logo, nicknamed the “Towers” logo, had become outdated as UIU modernized its academic offerings and the brochures, websites, and other items the University used to communicate with new and current students, alumni, and others. Having already engaged an outside agency to redesign the University look and feel, it became clear that the old University logo no longer fit with the new direction.

“We needed a version of the University logo that was more fitting of the new brand,” said Karl Easttorp, executive director of the UIU Office of Communications and Marketing. “We were very careful to speak with a large number of students, employees, and many other friends of the University to have confidence in the image that will represent the University for years to come. While we expected that it would be difficult to create any image that resonated with such a diverse group of people, we were thrilled that one logo, the one we will unveil on April 20, received broad support.”

UIU’s Athletics department encountered a similar challenge.  Other colleges and universities in the same athletic conference had been coming out with splashy new logos over the last several years.  UIU wanted to update the Peacock logo, but that desire needed to be balanced with tradition and strong fan support of the old logo.  Thus, the new Peacock logo is a more contemporary take on the traditional Peacock that UIU students and alumni have adored for years.

“With as much passion and pride as there is around Peacock Nation, we knew we needed a look and feel that would blend seamlessly with our history, creative direction, and values while also outshining the logos of colleges and universities we compete with on an annual basis,” said Wissmiller. “We believe the logo we will unveil on April 20 is a perfect balance of our past and future.”

Students, alumni, employees, and all members of the public are invited to attend the Logo Launch Party from 3 – 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, when UIU unveils the logos as well as images associated with the new University brand.  The free event will be held in the Student Center ballrooms at UIU’s Fayette Campus and will consist of a social at 3 p.m. with light refreshments, a short presentation and official unveiling of logos at 3:30 p.m., and cake and an ice cream sundae bar immediately after the unveiling. The first 500people who attend the special ceremony at Fayette Campus will receive a free commemorative gift.