Aug. 4, 2026

Making a mark: A history of UCalgary’s logos and coat of arms

The stories behind the symbols and colours of our visual brand

The then-current University of Calgary logo with its designer, Cliff Kadatz, in 1980. Courtesy of University Archives, 50th Anniversary, University of Calgary Photographs and Media Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary.

It was one of Dr. H.S. Armstrong’s first orders of business as president of the new University of Calgary — one that has stood the test of time.

Each Canadian university has a coat of arms representing its history and values, and each has several unique features including its colours, crests and escrolls.

While largely ceremonial, Armstrong still felt strongly about making one official when UCalgary gained autonomy in 1966.

As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, let’s take a look back at the history of the coat of arms and the logos that have symbolized the university’s brand over the years.

Symbols, colours and meanings

The official proclamation of UCalgary's coat of arms.

Courtesy of University Archives, 50th Anniversary, University of Calgary Photographs and Media Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary

Just two weeks after royal assent was given to the new Universities Act, giving Calgary its first autonomous university, Armstrong started petitioning the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland, who oversees the issuing of all new coats of arms.

Armstrong actually began working on the imagery for the symbol a year earlier and it was first seen publicly during 1967’s Spring Convocation.

The shield consists of two parts: the upper part with white books bound in gold and a white rose symbolic of Alberta, and the lower part, featuring a black bull’s head with red horns and crossed staves bearing red flags, reminiscent of the family logo of Lt. Col. J.F. Macleod, the North West Mounted Police officer who founded Fort Calgary.

Below the shield features an escroll with the university’s motto, "Mo shúile togam suas" (translated as "I will lift up my eyes"), rendered in Gaelic uncial letters.

Armstrong also wanted to stick with two main colours.

“The scarlet is reminiscent of the red coats of the North West Mounted Police, who played an important role in the settlement of Calgary,” he told the Calgary Herald in April 1967.

“The gold is for the grain of the prairie or symbolic of the gold reaped by the sale of products of the earth in this area.”

Brothers Doug, left, and Dex Derrsch displaying their helmets to show off the University of Calgary's new logo in 1967.

Courtesy of University Archives, 50th Anniversary, University of Calgary Photographs and Media Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary

The “UC” logo era

To go along with the coat of arms, the newly autonomous University of Calgary also created a logo for use in publications and other places.

Created by Bob Saunders of Alcraft Printing and P.R. Judge, assistant to the president, the logo was approved in September 1966.

Featuring red block letters “UC” with a golden wheat sheaf separating them, the black background was made to represent the province’s oil and coal resources.

That logo was used in publications and other branding until 1980, when a new stylized logo was created by former Art Director Cliff Kadatz.

The “UC” became more rounded and was surrounded by symbols representing open books.

At the time, President Norman Wagner told the Herald that the new logo was going to replace the use of the university’s coat of arms because the arms “presented reproduction difficulties.”

A UCalgary road directional sign featuring the coat of arms.

Courtesy of University Archives, 50th Anniversary, University of Calgary Photographs and Media Collection, Libraries and Cultural Resources Digital Collections, University of Calgary

Building the brand

With UCalgary quickly growing to the size of a small city over the next couple of decades, it was decided to bring all pieces of its brand together in unison.

The colour coat of arms was brought back as the symbolic core with the red, black and gold colours become consistent across all facets, including faculties and athletic teams.

That led to the 2001 creation of the first UCalgary tartan, a ceremonial cloth with strong association to Scotland, by UCalgary education and fine arts graduate Jim Odell, BEd’76, BFA’83.

The tartan was accredited in a ceremony presided over by Duncan Paisley, Scottish Tartans Society president and director of the Register of All Publicly Known Tartans.

The ceremony was the first of its kind held in Canada and the first time a member of the Scottish Tartans Society visited Canada to officially accredit a tartan.

It’s now only used in traditional academy ceremonies such as convocation and a small collection of high-end accessory items available through the UCalgary Bookstore.

The current logo, featuring the coat of arms and University of Calgary wordmark, was adopted in 2013.

Even though 60 years have passed since Armstrong’s efforts, the coat of arms is still a striking symbol of the university’s link to the city.

In just six decades, the University of Calgary has grown into one of Canada’s top research universities — a community defined by bold ambition, entrepreneurial spirit and global impact. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we’re honouring the people and stories that have shaped our past while looking ahead to an even more innovative future. UCalgary60 is about celebrating momentum, strengthening connections with our community and building excitement for what’s next. 

Have a story to share? We’d love to hear it. Submit your UCalgary60 story through our form.