Valparaiso University announced on Tuesday it has adopted Beacons as its new nickname after retiring its old Crusaders monicker earlier this year.
“Our new nickname directly connects to the university’s motto, ‘In Thy Light We See Light,’ and represents the Valparaiso University community in many ways,” university president Jose D. Padilla said in a statement. “We are beacons of light and hope in our communities. We are beacons of change on campus, in our region and in our country. We are beacons of knowledge for our students’ academic, social and spiritual growth.
“Above all, we are beacons of God’s light around the world. We light the way for our students, so that once they graduate, they shine their light for others.”
Beacons was chosen after a months-long process that included 1,000 suggestions from students, faculty and alumni, who all noted the importance of honoring the university’s history and character.
The eventual choice, interestingly enough, has been the name of the university yearbook for the last 80 years, as well as the name of the newest residence hall on campus.
The private Lutheran school, which is located in Indiana about about an hour southeast of Chicago, will retain its brown and gold color scheme and many of its wordmarks and logos, including the “Shield of Character,” as seen above.
Valparaiso’s athletic programs will be immediately be known as the Beacons, while all associated imagery will be phased in throughout the academic year.
Photos courtesy of Valparaiso University.
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