Who created Purdue’s first university seal?
Purdue’s first seal was created in 1890 by book designer, typographer, and Purdue graduate Bruce Rogers. Four years later, Rogers modified his original design; however, the University never officially adopted either of Rogers’ seals. An official University seal was not created until 1895, when the head of the art department Abby Phelps Lytle designed the seal for the University. Lytle’s design incorporated the slanted shield, Uncial typeface, and the symbol of the griffin, which represents strength. Each subsequent version of the seal has incorporated these three design elements. In 1905, Lytle’s design was modified as part of a student project, and in 1909 Charles H. Benjamin reworked the seal once again. Benjamin’s seal was used by the University until 1969 when the current seal was inaugurated. This seal, designed by Al Gowan, assistant professor of creative arts at Purdue, incorporates the use of the griffin and the symbol of the shield (with the three parts representing service, r
