As part of a larger effort to let people know that there’s a new energy on campus, KSC has designed a new logo and owl. We talked to a lot of people—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and neighbors and friends—and developed a redefined image that accurately captures what Keene State is all about. That’s reflected in our new guiding principle, “Wisdom to make a difference,”  which builds on the longstanding “Enter to learn … Go forth to serve.”

As we created the new KSC owl, we asked for your input in the process. We received thousands of votes and comments—thank you, everyone who pitched in. We got lots of great input, and we listened to what you had to say. We learned that we didn’t communicate with you as effectively as we could have; please accept our apologies for that. Specifically, we did not make it clear that, while there will be only one Keene State owl, that owl can appear in more than one pose, depending on the situation.

We worked closely with the Athletic Department to develop the first owl variation: a fierce, competitive owl that the athletes and fans seem to love. There will be occasions when just this owl’s head will appear on sports uniforms or promo material.

We asked for your input on the second owl pose, which is a more general KSC image. We wanted something that depicts Keene State College rising and looking toward the future, a concept that clearly resonated with our audiences.  Here’s the version (to the left) that got the most votes.

During this process, however, we heard from many people who wanted to see a more traditional owl: something that evokes wisdom and our wonderful traditions. We also heard that you want an owl that looks straight at the viewer.  So, we had the illustrator create a perched and wise owl—in KSC’s colors!

We are very excited about our new owl and logo, and the positive and energized image of Keene State College. We have already seen a great response, and this will only continue to grow.

Thanks again for supporting our upward momentum!