Definition of "heraldic banners": armorial ensigns
or similar insignia.
As part of the 1976 sesquicentiennial celebration of the founding
of Western Reserve College in 1826, Case Western Reserve University
worked with herald Anthony W. C. Phelps to create heraldic banners
for schools from its past.
The colors and symbols traditionally used by heralds at England's
College of Arms were utilized to create heraldic banners appropriate
to 15 schools from CWRU's history. Below are explanations of
the symbolism of each banner.
There has been 1 additional banner and 1 revised banner since 1976.
Case Institute of Technology
Adapted from the seal
of Case School of Applied Science and Case Institute of
Technology, which included a globe.
Western Reserve University
Adapted from the seal
of WRU, which included a rising sun.
Western Reserve College
Based on the seal of
WRC. The book signifies knowledge, while the Hebrew "aleph"
and the Greek "omega" stand for learning, as
well as for the beginning and the end.
School of Medicine
Features the caduceus, a traditional symbol of the medical
profession. This banner was replaced on 5/17/2015.
School of Medicine
The School of Medicine revised its heraldic banner design. The new banner was first used at the 5/17/2015 Commencement Convocation.
Adelbert College
A stylized version of the rising sun, adapted from the
WRU seal.
Flora Stone Mather College
A stylized version of the Mary Chisholm Painter Arch,
built in 1904 and located at the Euclid Avenue entrance
to the Mather campus, which has traditionally been the
symbol of Mather College.
Franklin Thomas Backus School of Law
The Scales of Justice are balanced on the curtana, which
is the sword of mercy and, therefore, is broken.
School of Dental Medicine
Features a Greek Delta for dentistry interwoven with
a circle, which signifies unity, and surrounds a one-serpent
caduceus.
School of Library Science
The book, which symbolizes the transmission of knowledge,
is placed on a disk that signifies the unity of knowledge.
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
The black and white background signifies the change from
darkness to light and from ignorance to knowledge. The
wavy star represents man or life, while the green and
gold represent youth and old age, country and town, etc.
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
The cross within the circle is a stylized version of
the pin of the School.
Cleveland College
The quartered banner of ermine and sable is derived from
the coat of arms traditionally ascribed to Moses Cleaveland.
The gold lamp signifies learning and adult education.
School of Graduate Studies
The two books symbolize the traditional division of learning
into arts and sciences.
Weatherhead School of Management
The small circles represent a group of people in conference,
while the counterchange of colors signifies the transfer
of ideas.
School of Engineering
Based on the Case coat
of arms, the silver gear represents applied science
or technology. The gold star signifies pure science.
College of Arts and Sciences
This heraldic banner appeared in 1999 for the inauguration
of David Auston as CWRU president. The reversed background
color symbolizes the arts and sciences in
the field of education. The sun represents a source of
energy for the college.
Information was compiled by staff of the Case Western Reserve University Archives, November 2004. Last revised April, 2018.
Sources:
1WI 1:1 Memorandum, Ruth Helmuth to ?, 3/24/1975
1WI 1:1 Commemorative Publication, Case Western Reserve University Sesquicentennial, [1975-1976]
1WI 1:1 Program, Case Western Reserve University, Convocation for the Inauguration of David Henry Auston as President of Case Western Reserve University, 10/29/1999
1WI 1:1 Email, Eric L. Dicken to Jill M. Tatem, 7/6/2015
A18-017 #1 CWRU Flags, Records of Richard E. Baznik, Vice President for Public Affairs
