Case Western Reserve University Archives

Heraldic Banners

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.


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.

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