Nebraska State College System Logo, Tagline and
Visual Display to Strengthen System

(Lincoln) – Carnegie Communications, LLC of Boston, Mass, created a new logo, tagline and visual display to strengthen the identity of the Nebraska State College System. Part of an overall new brand identity campaign, the visual display, which incorporates both the logo and tagline, will be used in advertisements, as the opening of a new system video and on the front page of the new NSCS website later this spring.

“Using a consultant to assist with a new brand identity campaign started last year after the LR 174 Higher Education Task Force released it’s report,” Executive Director Stan Carpenter said. “Colleges and universities in Nebraska were challenged to recruit more students and our extensive research showed that increasing awareness of our system and the three colleges will not only help with recruitment, but also with retention and graduation rates. The campaign document will guide us as we move forward in these areas as a system for many years.”

The campaign document included developing a new logo, which included the system’s full title:  Nebraska State College System. The new logo is comprised of three separate elements, representing the three colleges, which together form the system. Research conducted as part of the campaign showed that many Nebraskan were not sure which colleges were a part of the Nebraska State College System, NSCS Director of Public Relations Sheri Irwin said. It was determined that the system needed to use the full name at all times, rather than just the Nebraska State Colleges, and develop a logo that would incorporate it.

“During the research portion of the brand identity campaign, it was evident that we needed a logo that represented our full system name and we needed to be consistent when using it as well,” Irwin explained. “Many people consider the Nebraska State Colleges, the name we were formerly using, to be all the colleges and universities – whether public or private – in Nebraska. This idea was reinforced when the media announced ‘State College Happenings’ or ‘State College Athletic Updates’ and then listed colleges other than Chadron, Peru or Wayne State.”

Carnegie designer Tim Gormley said the elements of the new logo needed to be simple, have relevance to the system and combine to create a symbol of strength and stability, as well as collaboration. The individual elements consist of a circle centered inside a larger square and the outline of a graduate's mortarboard cap rotated 45º to give the element a stronger dynamic. The three elements are then combined in a horizontal row with horizontal and vertical lines intersecting the axes of the three elements, tying them together and forming a strong and compelling geometric symbol.

To help strengthen the identity of the system as a whole, the letters in the acronym NSCS are underneath the symbol within a square box, joining the two and assuring that they work together as a unit. Each is associated with the other, thereby reinforcing the system's identity. At the base of the box, in bold letters, is spelled out the system name “Nebraska State College System.” To those unfamiliar with the acronym, it explains exactly what NSCS stands for and further clarifies the system identity.

The visual display uses one identifiable image from each of the three colleges to show an interesting perspective of each campus. The photos depict the Mari Sandoz bronze sculpture facing the Mari Sandoz High Plains Center at Chadron State, detail work over the entry to (name of building?) at Peru State, and the central facade of Wayne State's Neihardt Hall. The images were chosen to convey a sense of the history and tradition that exists on the three campuses. The new logo identifies the display, and is flanked by the NSCS new tagline, “Three colleges. Thousands of opportunities.”

Carnegie consultant on the NSCS brand identity campaign, Dr. Jeff Papa, said, “The Nebraska State College System and the three state colleges are to be commended for the way in which they are approaching their marketing efforts. First, the NSCS and the three colleges engaged in extensive research to understand their target audiences. From there, they developed a series of strategic marketing plans—one for the system itself and one for each of the three colleges—that are designed to guide and direct future marketing efforts. Next they developed a compelling visual representation of their system of higher education and are now beginning the process of shooting a video that will showcase the colleges individually and collectively. These efforts will surely gain the attention of people in and around the state of Nebraska as they effectively communicate the value of each of the three state colleges.”