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Seal, Colors and Logo

Here are the basics every Mountaineer should recognize.

While our Flying WV logo is relatively young (at about 37), our seal and school colors have been part of University life for well over a century.

WVU Seal

The seal was designed by the University's first president, Reverend Alexander Martin, and adopted on June 15, 1869. 

The Greek means: “Add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge” (from the King James Bible). The outer Latin reads: “Seal of the West Virginia University Established 7 February 1867.” The hills depicted behind Woodburn Circle reflect the institution’s stability, and a rising sun indicates its prosperity.   

The seal, shown here on the WVU mace, appears on every WVU diploma. 

Old Gold and Blue

Students adopted the old gold and blue in 1890. Legend says the idea came from the West Virginia state seal and the first verse of “Hail, West Virginia,” the fight song of the University.

The Flying WV

Easily one of the most recognizable university logos, WVU’s Flying WV was adopted as recently as 1980. WVU Football coach Don Nehlen is often credited with the logo design, but it was actually designer John Boyd Martin’s mountain-inspired sketch that became the Flying WV.

The Flying WV turns up all over the world — and on some big-name celebrities, such as West Virginia natives Jennifer Garner and Brad Paisley.

Read The Legend of the Flying WV

Flying WV Cookies

This sweet treat, cut in the shape of the University logo and decorated with gold and blue icing, is perhaps our most delicious branded item. But its origin is a bit of a mystery. Sometime in the 1980s or 90s WVU head baker Nancy Ruckle came up with the top secret recipe.