Rocky Mountain College is getting a new look.
By the time classes begin Aug. 22, its logo will have changed from one dominated by a craggy mountain range to a shield with the geological features downplayed.
The process started one and half years ago when college President Michael Mace worked with AD Creative Group on a survey asking people about the school’s logo.
It got a positive response, but found that some out-of-state students thought the college was located in the mountains because of its logo, said Kelly Edwards, vice president for enrollment.
The new logo draws on the history of the college that traces its origins back 133 years.
The shield on the new logo takes its shape from the emblem of Billings Polytechnic Institute, the school established in Billings in 1908 that would later become Rocky Mountain College.
The year 1878 is written at the top of the shield. In that year, the Montana Collegiate Institute was founded in Deer Lodge. It closed after one year because of financial problems then reopened in 1880. That institution would go through several more name changes as it was bought out, merged with other colleges and moved, ending up as Intermountain Union College in Helena.
Intermountain would merge with Billings Polytechnic Institute to become Rocky Mountain College.
The new logo also has symbols for the school’s three affiliate churches, the United Methodist, Presbyterian and United Church of Christ interspersed with architectural motifs found on older buildings on campus.
An open textbook symbolizes education and free ideas. At the bottom of the shield are stylized rims and mountains.
The new logo will be part of all campus publications, letterheads, business cards and signs for Rocky programs at an aviation hanger at Billings Logan International Airport and Intermountain Equestrian Center.
Main signs at campus entrances will remain the same except the current presidential seal will be replaced with the new shield logo.
Before classes start, Rocky also will launch an updated website using the new logo, Edwards said.
“With the new logo and website we should have a new look and feel when students arrive for fall,” she said.
The new website is not just a cosmetic update. It will be easier to use, especially for prospective students.
The goal for this fall’s enrollment is 375 new freshmen and transfer students. Last year, Rocky hoped to have 350 new students and 378 enrolled.
Last fall Rocky had a total enrollment of 887 students. The college has a goal of reaching 1,100 students by 2013.
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