While the new chapter for Lethbridge Polytechnic may have started at the beginning of the school year, the book cover has now been added with the unveiling of their new logo.
On Wednesday, school leaders, members of the community, along with Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney unveiled the image that will be used to represent the post-secondary school and will be throughout the campus.
The logo is circular, which according to a release from school officials represents an ” inclusive and supportive institution and the sense of belonging our students say they feel at Lethbridge Polytechnic” and beside the circle, there is bold lettering saying Lethbridge Polytechnic. Elements of the new design also highlight the school’s connection to the southern Alberta landscape, with depictions of mountains, coulees and chinooks.
“It incorporates a familiar green-blue colour gradient to represent land and sky. The smooth transition between colours represents change – in society, the economy and students’ needs – and our responsiveness to them,” the release reads. “A border represents a teepee ring and can already be seen painted on the Val Matteotti Gymnasium floor; it speaks to the institution’s commitment to honouring our place on Blackfoot Territory.”
President and CEO of Lethbridge Polytechnic, Dr. Brad Donaldson says the design was created with the input of more than 500 current, former and prospective students, along with employees and community partners. Minister Sawhney says the new visual identity of the school is a physical representation this is the start of a new era.
“Students in southern Alberta will have new options to pursue polytechnic education programs without having to travel to our province’s largest centres. This will help them reduce living costs while they study, and lessen their time away from family and familiar support networks. And, they will have expanded career options in their own region upon graduating,” Sawhney says.
The new logo was also added to the polytechnic’s Winter Count Robe by Blackfoot artist William Singer III. According to the school, starting last year the tanned buffalo was created last year to tell the school’s history, from the 1957 start of being the first publicly funded community in the country, any name and logo changes over the years, along with other key moments. It is used by the school as a traditional way of sharing knowledge and is used as a teaching tool.
Back in June Minister Sawhney announced Lethbridge College had received Polytechnic status and the change officially went into effect on September 3rd when the new school year kicked off.
