Visual identity system earns district award

Three other colleges were honored in the institutional identity competition. North Dakota State University won a Silver Award. Bronze Awards were given to Iowa State University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

John Vander Stelt of Maurice, an artist who graduated from Northwestern in 1983, designed the new visual identity system. A key component is the wordmark, which features the name of Northwestern College in a stylized typographic design. The wordmark includes a cross that extends into the word ‘college,’ illustrating how the Christian perspective permeates all aspects of the Northwestern experience. The cross, reminiscent of a star to subtly illustrate the college’s historic motto of “God is light,” joins an “N” and a “W” in the logo.

Northwestern’s Visual Identity Committee worked with Vander Stelt in the development of the designs. Members included Duane Beeson, director of public relations; Barry Brandt, director of athletics; Anita Cirulis, associate director of public relations; Ron De Jong, associate vice president for development; Glenda De Vries, bookstore manager; Dr. Mitch Kinsinger, assistant professor of religion/Christian education; Dan Robinson, web development manager; Rein Vanderhill, professor of art; Dr. Carl Vandermeulen, professor of English and communication studies; Jay Wielenga, director of development; and alumni Jean Vogel and Tim Zeutenhorst of Orange City and Erin Piehl of Hutchinson, Minn.

The award was presented at the district’s conference in St. Louis on Jan. 24. District Six includes colleges, universities and independent schools in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

This is the third consecutive year Northwestern’s public relations office has won an award in the district competition. Last year, a video developed for the admissions office received a Silver Award. In 2004, a group of recruiting publications received the Gold Award in the student recruitment series category.