History of UVU Logo

Within just a few decades, Utah Valley University has risen from a regional college to a well-loved university with an increasingly passionate student body and alumni base with global reach. The history of UVU’s logos reflects this transformation, capturing the university’s journey, evolving identity, and ever-expanding vision for the future. 

As UVU continues to grow, we can expect to see even more evolution in the school’s branding and broader visual identity. In order to understand where UVU is headed now, it’s important to take a step back in time to the early days of a school that — just a few decades ago — used to be known under a completely different name. 

From Technical College to Accredited University 

When UVU was first established as Utah Valley Technical College in 1941, its identity was rooted in the vocational education and training needs of the local community. The early branding of the institution was basic, focused more on functionality than on cultivating a distinct visual identity. As the college expanded and evolved, its logo designs were simple, reflecting the utilitarian nature of the institution's mission at the time.

During these formative years, the school's logo often featured just the name of the institution in straightforward typography, with little emphasis on visual representation or symbol. The emphasis was on education and service to the community, rather than cultivating a broad public image or sophisticated visual branding. It was not until the 1960s and 1970s that the school began to expand its curriculum, and the need for a more recognizable and cohesive brand identity became clear.

As Utah Valley Technical College transitioned into Utah Valley Community College (UVCC) in 1987 and later to Utah Valley State College (UVSC) in 2000, the institution’s evolving mission and growing student population called for an updated logo that would reflect its new standing and aspirations.

The transition to Utah Valley State College in 2000 was an especially pivotal moment for UVU, as it signaled the shift to a full-fledged college offering both undergraduate and professional programs. At this time, a then-UVSC adopted a logo that emphasized a more formal academic aesthetic while maintaining a sense of accessibility and approachability. The logo combined a serif typeface for "Utah Valley State College" with subtle design elements intended to evoke a sense of growth and development.

The change from "State College" to "University" with the shift from UVSC to UVU was not just a shift in academic status — it was a clear statement of the university’s ambition to expand its offerings, increase its academic rigor, and serve students on a broader scale.

This new logo built upon a bold green and white color scheme, which became a defining feature of UVU’s identity. The color green, often associated with growth, vitality, and renewal, symbolized UVU’s commitment to fostering a new generation of leaders and thinkers. The accompanying graphic element, which often included a stylized "V" or abstract representation of the valley’s mountainous terrain, reflected the university’s physical and cultural connection to Utah Valley. 

The Impact of UVU’s Logo Moving Forward

With 46,809+ students as of fall of 2024, Utah Valley University is now the largest public university in the state of Utah. This exponential growth may come as a surprise to many Utahns, but to the students, faculty, and administrators who bring UVU to life on a daily basis, it’s just the new normal. 

Given the broad changes that have taken place since UVU became a state-accredited university in 2008, as well as changes that are sure to come in the future, we can expect to see the school’s identity — visual and otherwise — develop even more over the coming years. 

What changes could we predict to see in UVU’s branding as it develops more influence and potentially expands its athletic programs? It’s impossible to say now. But as UVU’s alumni tradition builds momentum, we’re bound to witness more pride for UVU and its mission than we’ve seen in the past. The result? The increased presence of Wolverine-related symbols throughout Utah and beyond, whether that’s on buildings, cars, clothing, on TV, or in the homes of Utahns across the state. 

With every use of the UVU logo, the UVU fans of today are actively building the legacy that UVU students and alumni will seek to honor tomorrow.