History of the Northwestern Seal

Following is a history of Northwestern University's official seal. Special thanks to Patrick Quinn, University Archivist, for permission to use excerpts from an article he authored in March 1980.

On June 26, 1856, Northwestern University's Board of Trustees adopted a design for a corporate seal. The first seal closely resembled an incomplete version of the present one; it consisted of rays of light surrounding an open book, enclosed by the words "Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois". This seal remained in use until 1890.

On June 17, 1890, the Board of Trustees adopted as the official University motto the Latin Phrase, "Quaecumque Sunt Vera" (Whatsoever Things Are True). The motto was derived from the new Testament Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians, Chapter 4, Verse 8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". Following the board's adoption of the ethical and moral values in the motto, Daniel Bonbright past acting president and professor of Latin since 1856, was assigned by the board to incorporate the motto in the design of the University's seal. In addition to incorporating the motto, Bonbright inscribed in Greek on the pages of the seal's open book "The Word . . full of grace and truth" from the Gospel of St. John, Chapter 1, Verse 14.

Bonbright also removed the words "Evanston, Illinois" from the seal and added the date 1851, which denoted the year that Northwestern received its charter from the Illinois legislature.

Bonbright's design was approved by the board on December 5, 1890 and became effective on New Year's Day of 1891.

The words "Northwestern University" are set in Goudy, a classic, timeless typeface. It was designed in 1914 by Frederic W. Goudy (1865-1947). Goudy was born in Illinois and began designing typefaces in Chicago in 1897, becoming one of the most important American type designers of the 20th century. Emerging from the same historical and cultural environment as the University, the Goudy typeface might be said to reflect Midwestern values: It's straightforward, self-assured, and unpretentious character makes it an appropriate choice for Northwestern.

The seal has served faithfully as the graphic symbol of Northwestern's commitment to the educational, ethical and moral values, embodied in its design.

History of Willie the Wildcat

The tradition of Willie the Wildcat was established in 1924 when Wallace Abbey of the Chicago Tribune wrote, "The Northwestern football team fought like wildcats yesterday . . " The name so expressed the fighting spirit of the team that the name Wildcats was officially adopted as the University's athletic nickname.

The first Willie was designed by Alpha Delts Frank Willard, John Balch, Rog Johnson and Bill Henning for their homecoming float in 1947. They designed the head while their mothers sewed the rear section of the costume.

The first Willie required two people to fill the costume; one for Willie's front and one for Willie's rear end.

In 1948, two women students wore the Willie costume. Notre Dame had a standing rule forbidding women on the field, so Willie was stopped at the gates of the South Bend stadium. After a lengthy conference, the officials gave the women special permission to appear.

The fate of Willie did not improve in 1949, when Purdue male cheerleaders, not realizing that Willie was two women, picked up the wildcat and threw it into their boilermaker mascot. Apologies were made after hearing feminine shrieks.

Since its inception in 1947, Willie the Wildcat's appearance has undergone many changes, but still remains Northwestern University's athletic nickname.