New logo debuts for Honors Program
As part of the revitalization of the University of Findlay’s Honors Program, one Honors student has designed a new logo that marks a creative shift for the program and stands as a symbol of curiosity, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge.
“This rebranding included students at the forefront of the process, which has been a staple of the program’s revitalization involving students in everything from branding to curriculum decisions,” said Justin Rheubert, assistant professor of biology and co-director of the Honors Program.
Paige Grum, a junior Honors student with a passion for both the arts and sciences, said she was motivated to create a design that would stand the test of time.
“I felt there was a need to emulate a generational society,” she explained. “While minimalism has its place in logo design, I wanted to take a maximalist, Baroque approach, suggesting long-term stability and endurance for the UF Honors Program. Minimalist logos often feel trendy, but I aimed for something more ageless.”
The logo features a white oak tree, a symbol traditionally associated with longevity and wisdom. Grum chose the tree to represent the Honors mission to foster long-term passion and academic growth.
“I believe it’s important that the Honors Program inspires its members to seek wisdom that extends well beyond their coursework,” she added.
The logo incorporates symbols from the University’s six colleges, reflecting the Honors Program’s goal of uniting students from diverse academic backgrounds into a unique learning community, Rheubert said.
Feedback from professors, peers, and family members helped Grum refine the design. Using the Bell Tower as the background symbol resonated with students. Rheubert encouraged her to add elements with more Honors symbolism, and the student’s grandmother – a nature-inspired artist – served as a source of creative inspiration.
For Grum, who is vice president of the Honors Student Association and majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and writing, the project was more than just an artistic endeavor – it was deeply personal.
“I’ve always loved the relationship between art and science,” she said. “The Honors Program has given me opportunities to explore this intersection. I wanted to emulate the wonder of pre-20th-century scientific illustrations through the design’s winding oak tree roots and Gothic fonts.”
The logo was officially unveiled at the Honors Gala October 25, and Grum hopes it will resonate with current and future Honors students.
“I want people to see this as a symbol of passion—my own, but also the passion of those who choose to explore new and uncharted fields,” she said. “This logo represents not just me, but all Honors students who dare to think differently.”