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Case Western Reserve University Archives

Coat of arms of Case Western Reserve University

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1967

February 10, 1967
Planning the Federation I was released. It described the initial procedures to plan the federation process.

February 13,1967
Appointments to the Administrative Council were announced: John A. Hrones to head planning for science and technology, Herman D. Stein for social and behavioral sciences, Lester G. Crocker for humanities and fine arts, Alan R. Moritz for health sciences, Henry W. Spitzhoff for business and supporting services, Frank M. Hurley for student programs.

April 12, 1967
Case and WRU Trustees approved the Agreement of Consolidation, combining Case and WRU into a new corporation: Case Western Reserve University. Robert W. Morse was named President and John S. Millis was named Chancellor of Case Western Reserve University.
April 21, 1967
The Faculty Council on Federation was formed. It consisted of twelve members: five WRU faculty, five Case faculty, John S. Millis as chairman, and Robert W. Morse as vice chairman.

May 19, 1967
Case and WRU purchased Fenway Motor Inn, renamed University House, to provide housing for married and single graduate students.
May 29, 1967
Heald Commission issued its final report,Vision of a University.

June 1, 1967
Case Western Reserve University Trustees ratified the Agreement of Consolidation, the “final legal step to form Case Western Reserve University.”

July, 1, 1967
Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University federated to form Case Western Reserve University. On July 1, 1967 only the legal framework was complete. Policies, organizational structures, faculty governance, and academic program plans were incomplete. Planning the Federation I cautioned, "'federation' must be a process and cannot be an event."
July 5, 1967
Administrative appointments were made for admissions, financial aid, physical planning, provost, secretary of the university, and finance.
Seal of Case Western Reserve University 1
The General Faculty of Case Western Reserve University was established by the Trustees. It comprised all enfranchised members of the Case faculty and the eight WRU faculties. Case’s Engineering Division was renamed the School of Engineering, with seven graduate divisions: Bio and Medical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Computer, Control and Systems Science and Engineering; Electrical Sciences and Applied Physics; Fluid, Thermal and Aerospace Sciences; Polymer Science, Solid Mechanics, Structures and Mechanical Design. Ray E. Bolz was appointed Dean.
CWRU’s first colors, seal, and coat of arms were approved by the Trustees. Case Western Reserve University Pennant Coat of Arms,
Letter and Check Making First Donation to CWRU
July 10, 1967
The first official gift designated for the new university was received - $25 from Mr. E. Bruce Dunn.

Media/Statement of Founding
September 18, 1967
CWRU’s first academic year began.
Its first university bulletin, Statement of Founding, was published and included the University Calendar for 1967-1968, descriptions of faculty, facilities, centers, colleges, departments, schools, administration, trustees and overseers.
December 7, 1967
The first meeting of the General Faculty was held, during which the Constitutional Assembly was created to develop a new faculty governance system and structure.
Coats of Arms
Definition of "coat of arms": an arrangement of bearings, usually depicted on and around a shield, that indicates ancestry and distinctions.
Western Reserve University
1951-1954
Coat of Arms of Western Reserve University
Symbolism
In scarlet red and white, this coat of arms uses elements of both the Western Reserve College seal and the Western Reserve University seal. The shield, in heraldic terms, represents faith. An open book, which signifies scholarship and the Old and New Testaments, has the Hebrew character "aleph" and the Greek character "omega" on its pages. These symbols represent the Hebrew and Greek origins of Western thought. Wisdom and honor are symbolized by the sun, while its twelve rays represent the twelve original trustees of WRC. The eleven spaces between the rays signify the schools of WRU in 1951. The simplicity of the two-color design was meant "to signify the efficiency and contemporaneous viewpoint of a unified, well-ordered institution of higher learning."

Despite the approval of a design that included the Hebrew letter "aleph", the original sketch, like the one pictured here, incorrectly featured the Greek letter "Nu."
Development
Designed by WRU's Division of Art, a committee headed by WRU president emeritus Winfred Leutner presented the coat of arms to the trustees' Executive Committee on January 11, 1951. At that same meeting, it was approved for use.
Usage
It was recommended that the coat of arms could be used on publications, advertisements, jewelry, etc. It was not to be used in place of the seal on official documents.

1951-1954
Coat of Arms of Western Reserve University with year 1
Symbolism
This is a variation of the original coat of arms, but also features the date "1826" below the shield. The date 1826 refers to the establishment date of WRC.

1954-1967
Coat of Arms of Western Reserve University 2
Symbolism
This is much the same as the previous WRU coat of arms, but with several additions that move the design away from the simplicity of the first. The simple scarlet and white are replaced with heraldic colors. The background of the book is azure blue, which denotes truth, the book remains white, and the sun and its rays are golden. The date "1826," in black, has been incorporated into the shield.

The Greek letter "Nu" is replaced by the Hebrew letter "aleph."
Development
The May 20, 1954 edition of the student newspaper, Reserve Tribune, described the changes to the WRU coat of arms. The motivation for these changes is unknown.

1954-1967
Coat of Arms with Olive Branches of Western Reserve University 1
Symbolism
This coat of arms exhibits the optional feature of crossed olive branches, which implies peace and achievement.

1954-1967
Coat of Arms of Western Reserve University with Ribbon 1
Symbolism
This coat of arms exhibits the optional feature of a ribbon that reads "Western Reserve University."

Case School of Applied Science / Case Institute of Technology
1942-1967
Coat of Arms of Case Institute of Technology 1
Symbolism
In the shape of a shield, this coat of arms features many symbols related to industry. The white fields display the activities and ideals of the school, while the brown fields suggest the results and benefits of these activities.

In the upper left corner of the shield, the star symbolizes pure science and the high ideals of the school's founder, Leonard Case, Jr. Diagonal from the star, the target represents the applied sciences. In the lower right white space, the clarion (with bells rather than pipes), an ancient musical instrument, "recognized the inclusion of the classics, and the various cultural subjects in the curriculum." In the opposite corner from the clarion is a drafting instrument.

In the brown field in the upper right corner, industry is represented by the gear, while the building symbolizes engineering structures. In the lower left corner, the shield over the eagle suggests the defense of the nation.

The letters spelling Case are brown.
Development
Professor of Engineering Drawing, Oliver M. Stone, designed the coat of arms. It was approved by Case trustees' Executive Committee on September 17, 1942.
Usage
It was to be used on jackets and stationery, as well as "other places where its decorative effect can be appreciated."

Case Western Reserve University
1967-2008+
Coat of Arms of Case Western Reserve University 1
Symbolism
The shield represents faith, while wisdom and honor are signified by the golden sun. The star stands for science. The crossed laurel branches represent achievement and academic honors. The date 1826 signifies the establishment of WRU.
Development
Case Western Reserve University was established on July 1, 1967, through the federation of WRU and Case. WRU president John S. Millis formed an advisory ad hoc committee to design coat of arms for the new University. Millis presented the coat of arms to the trustees of CWRU, who approved it at their first meeting on July 5, 1967. The coat of arms was designed by William Ward of the Cleveland Museum of Art.