Seal, Logo, Mascot and Creed
The Official Seal
The official seal for the University of
North Florida incorporates a circle and a compass rose — a
direction-finding device for mariners. These symbolize the University’s
role in providing direction for students. The placement of the symbol in
the upper northeast quadrant of the circle describes the University’s
location in the northeast region of Florida. The Roman numerals MCMLXV
refer to the year that the University was chartered, 1965. Use of the
official University seal is reserved for official documents such as
diplomas and other official certificates.
The UNF Logo
The University’s graphic symbol is
depicted at left. It consists of three elements. The initials UNF are
referred to as the monogram. The words University of North Florida are
referred to as the descriptor. The bird is the osprey image. The osprey image should never
be used alone. The logo appears on official University stationery,
business cards, envelopes, Web pages and external publications. Blue and
gray are the official UNF colors. Visual Identity Guidelines, which
explain the proper use of the UNF logos, are available at the Department
of Marketing and Publications, or can be found online.
The Osprey Mascot
The osprey was adopted officially as the
University of North Florida mascot in November 1979 in an election
conducted by the Student Government Association. The osprey received 47
percent of the votes and won over the armadillo, seagull, manatee and
shark. Ospreys can often be seen gliding majestically over the campus.
The osprey — a member of the hawk family with a wingspan of up to 6 feet
— is capable of diving 80 mph in pursuit of fish, which constitute its
main diet. UNF’s mascot has the characteristics that UNF students hope
to have when they graduate. Ospreys have been described as seemingly
inexhaustible, tenacious, opportunistic, cosmopolitan, loyal to their
species, adaptable, resilient and fond of living near other ospreys.
Described as “trendy birds” in National Geographic magazine for their
success in adapting to suburban neighborhoods, ospreys also are into
recycling. Children’s toys, plastic foam containers, cork buoys and
doormats are some of the items they use to construct their gigantic
nests. Ospreys, like UNF alumni, reside on all continents, except
Antarctica. To commemorate UNF’s commitment to the environment and its
adoption of the osprey as its mascot, the University of North Florida
Foundation Inc. commissioned a watercolor painting of the osprey by
noted ornithologist and wildlife artist Frederick William Wetzel of
Jacksonville. The painting hangs permanently in the special collections
of the Thomas G. Carpenter Library.
The Student Creed
I AM THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA.
I am loyal to the Nest without reservation.
I am selfless in my effort to advance its values.
I am relentless in the pursuit of truth and
knowledge carried out in the spirit of
intellectual and artistic freedom.
I am one who wears the colors of the Osprey proudly.
I am wearing them on my chest and in my heart, on and off the playing field with confidence and vigor.
I am filled with courage and dare to soar.
I am an Osprey flying far, fast, and hard.
- Christopher Warren, 2010
