Our journey to trace the roots of the Seal of Northwestern University begins many years ago in the mid-19th century, specifically in 1851 when a group of Chicago businessmen and leaders of the Methodist Church wanted to create a prestigious institution that would be the leader in intellectualism in the Midwest. Chicago was a newly born city, and the founding members of the University found untapped and beautiful land in Evanston, where they would create the institution they longed to represent intellectual prowess of the Midwest. 

          Despite having been founded in 1851, the first classes did not commence until the fall of 1856 with only four students and two professors. 1856 was also the year that the first corporate seal was approved, which looks like an incomplete version of today’s seal. It featured a blank open book with surrounding rays of light and the words Northwestern University, Evanston, IL around it. 

          It was not until 30 years later when the Latin professor Dr. Daniel Bonbright wanted to strengthen the design and add significance to its meaning. Using his knowledge of classical languages including Greek and Latin, he implemented two mottos to encompass the foundations of the university. In the blank book, he suggested using a verse taken from the Kings James Holy Bible, John 1:14, in the first language that the bible was translated in: Greek. The Greek reads “Ὁ Λόγος πλήρης χάριτος καὶ ἀληθείας—Ho logos pleres charitos kai aletheias.” The translated words in English are “The Word… full of grace and truth.” The verse comes from the book of John which is in the New Testament of the Holy Bible. John was a disciple of Jesus Christ and his book was a narrative depicting his time with Jesus and the miracles he witnessed while with him. The full verse of John 1:14 from the King James Holy Bible reads: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” 

          Taking the place of Evanston, IL, Bonbright also used another well-known verse from the Kings James Holy Bible. This verse was taken from an epistle (i.e. letter) written by St. Paul, another disciple of Jesus Christ. Paul was on his second journey to bring evangelize the Christian faith around the world when he came across the city of Philippi, a colony of retired Roman soldiers. Paul writes to the Philippians as a spiritual leader instructing them on how to live a righteous life. Bonbright selects the verse 4:8 from the book of Philippians. It reads: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, 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.” The selection he chooses is “Whatsoever things are true…” which translates to “Quacumque Sunt Vera” in Latin.

          This version of the seal, which was to be in effect on the first day in January of the year 1891, is the version that is used to this day and is featured in the architecture of several buildings on Northwestern’s campus. 

          The creation of a seal and coat of arms in and of itself was a traditional practice for prestigious universities. The east coast had its fair share of intellectual institutions including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia, all of whom have their own traditional coat of arms to represent their own foundations. Embodying the spirit of Chicago, it is only fitting that Northwestern, a university founded on the principle that it must represent prestige in the Midwest, would have its own seal as well. The later revision on this seal by Dr. Bonbright is also synonymous with the identity of the institution, and he blends an exercise of tradition with a representation of the education provided at Northwestern. Specifically, the usage of Greek and Latin is common as Classical language and culture exude timelessness, power, and intellectualism. Furthermore, using the oft-quoted verse of “The word… full of grace and truth” embodied the identity of the university at that time. Its foundation lied upon the Methodist church, hence its usage of verses from the Holy Bible. Additionally, books, reading, and writing were what consisted of quality education at the time. This verse reflects the respect that is held for books and the words within them. This identity that was reflected in the seal is one that may not be true of the university today and is an interesting question to pursue.