This revision honors the past while featuring elements that speak to themes called for by alumni, students, faculty and staff in an updated design: global awareness, openness, and sharing knowledge and the light of Christ outwardly. It also has a slightly brighter color scheme and updated font.

鈥淭his change marks an evolution of the logo,鈥� notes President. 鈥淚t builds on the past, bringing fresh vitality to our already strong image. We were not looking to 鈥榬ebrand鈥� the institution. Our brand is strong and there is much to celebrate from the past.鈥�

The revision process began in August 2014 with the help of , a Harrisonburg-based brand consultant group.

Stakeholders 鈥� students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff聽鈥� completed surveys and joined in discussion groups. Two main questions generated conversations: 鈥淲hat does the current EMU logo communicate to you?鈥� and 鈥淚f the logo were changed, what should a new or revitalized logo do?鈥�

Unanimously more than 300 respondents called for a revision of the logo, while sharing a concern that any change honor the past and build on EMU鈥檚 global recognition.

The review process resulted in a call for a logo that:

• Balances between and honors the institution鈥檚 past and future;
• Reflects values of peace and justice, transformation and sustainability;
• Reflects the Christian Mennonite values at EMU, sharing knowledge and the light of Christ outwardly;
• Communicates diversity, a global perspective, and the warmth of a welcoming, lasting community;
• Highlights a strong focus on rigorous academics;
• Communicates a bold, vibrant vision.

鈥淭he revitalized logo offers a fresh, forward-thinking impression yet also preserves the brand equity that EMU has earned over the years locally and around the world,鈥� says , director of marketing and communications.

Media specialist聽and brand ID manager , a 2007 graduate of EMU鈥檚 visual and communication arts program, praised the logo’s articulation with the current color scheme and font standards. 鈥淚t solves some design challenges that came with the earlier version, updates our look and provides a lot of opportunity,鈥� he added.

鈥淭his revised logo evolves the brand identity of EMU to reflect how much the brand itself has grown,鈥� says Christian Perritt, creative director of Gravity Group. 鈥淭he bold new icon, the font that is both traditional and uniquely contemporary 鈥� these elements work together to reflect a brand that has a rich history and a bright future.鈥�

Read more about the logo revitalization process at

Since 1994, the center has utilized components of the university鈥檚 parent brand, with a more recent adoption of an icon, the dove carrying an olive branch. The new logo retains traditional symbolism yet integrates a different font style and color spectrum.

鈥淚n the past 20 years, The Center for Justice and Peacebuilding has had a distinctive role on campus, even as it has helped raise EMU鈥檚 profile internationally through its leading-edge peacebuilding work,鈥� says , the center鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淭his first-ever CJP logo symbolizes our unique identity, as we seek to balance domestic peacebuilding efforts with our international work.鈥�

More than 20 years of growth

Since its launching in 1994 as one of the nation’s first academic peacebuilding graduate degree programs, CJP has continued to offer practice-oriented studies towards a master鈥檚 in conflict transformation. The (SPI), which also started in 1994, now attracts approximately 150-200 international peacebuilders in four seven-day sessions. Programmatic growth over the years has led to additional certificate and training programs, such as (STAR) and the . The center will soon launch a master’s degree in restorative justice.

“The word ‘Mennonite’ and the acronyms EMU, CJP, SPI have significant brand name recognition around the world as places to study peacebuilding,” said EMU鈥檚 director of marketing and communications . “We want to build on that so greater numbers of people can join in this community of learning that equips people to serve the common good.”

The new logo, developed by brand ID manager , incorporates a dove, a symbol that has been part of CJP鈥檚 visual identity since its inception more than two decades ago.

The brandmark highlights the center鈥檚 Anabaptist links 鈥� the dove is used in other Mennonite-related organizations 鈥� but includes design elements that highlight the center as a community of practitioners and learners around the core concepts of justice and peacebuilding.

The CJP difference

The logo design was one result of a thorough assessment of CJP’s identity, vision and mission completed in collaboration with , a Harrisonburg, Virginia-based brand and marketing consultancy.

“CJP was an ideal program to work with,” says Gravity Group creative director Christian Perritt, with more than 20 years鈥� experience in the field. “Rarely do you find a brand with such consistent feedback regarding the brand’s story. While it took some hard work to hone in and articulate the key differentiators of CJP’s brand, everyone ultimately embraced the work. This gives incredible clarity for CJP going forward.”

The three-stage review, which took approximately three months in the fall of 2014, included analysis of material gathered from CJP鈥檚 academic programs, as well as STAR assessment reports and SPI attendee interviews. Additionally, two focus groups with representation from across CJP programs were convened.

Four key areas differentiate EMU’s master’s level peacebuilding studies from the dozens of others now available, according to the data.

CJP acts as a nexus for a global community of learning, with more than 500 graduates working around the world in different settings. Since 1994, SPI has attracted approximately 2,800 students of diverse faiths from 120 countries for academic instruction and cultural exchange.

CJP鈥檚 core peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and restorative justice curriculum remains unique in its hands-on practice-based style of learning. Coursework is led by faculty with years of experience in international peacebuilding and community development. All graduates complete practicums and report on learnings in a capstone presentation.

A focus on restorative justice and the implicit healing power in communicative, relational practices 鈥� first developed by retiring professor 鈥� lies at the heart of CJP鈥檚 core values.

Finally, CJP operates out of a values-based paradigm that integrates the Anabaptist values.

“People from many faith traditions are comfortable at EMU,” notes Byler. “In fact, other faith traditions, and even those of no professed faith, resonate with our core values and respect our Christian identity even as we learn from the valuable perspectives they bring to this community.鈥�

The new logo design is being used on print pieces beginning in May. By late summer, a revamped interactive website featuring the new brand identification will be launched with tools for networking among the more than 3,000 alumni of CJP programs.