Shawnee State University this summer will launch its new look, including new logos for the university and the Athletic Department, and a new marketing campaign designed to attract more students.

“We are creating a new ‘brand’ for Shawnee State University that better reflects who we are and what we have to offer,” Dr. Rita Rice Morris, SSU President, said.

“More than a simple redesign of our enrollment materials, this project encompasses strategies for reaching potential students who are looking for the unique qualities of Shawnee State — and is grounded in more than 2,000 surveys and interviews with faculty members, current students, staff, alumni, prospective students, parents, donors and community leaders. This is a tremendous leap forward for us in our efforts to increase enrollment.”

This fall, an expected 4,000 students will be at SSU and Morris says each one will have an opportunity to “Stand Out” — the slogan for the new campaign. The slogan is a play on the word “outstanding,” and is designed to reflect the university’s “outstanding values, outstanding faculty, and outstanding programs.”

The Web site (www.shawnee.edu) also will be redesigned also to reflect the new brand, beginning with the admissions section, followed by athletics, then alumni, and others until the entire site has been updated. The sports teams will continue using their current uniforms until the next scheduled replacement, at which time the new look is expected to be added.

The new brand was created by Stamats Higher Education Marketing. The Iowa-based company has also developed campaigns for Harvard, Texas A&M, Georgetown, Morehead, University of Kentucky, California State, and many others. Their work has won many Admissions Marketing Report Awards, APEX Awards, and ADDY Awards.

The previous logo had been in place since the university began in 1986. Elizabeth Blevins, director of communications at SSU, said students felt the old logo suggested an outdated, 1980s-feel that did not represent the current 21st century learning and technologies available at SSU.

Shawnee State will begin using its new logos this summer in preparation for fall semester, which begins Aug. 19. Blevins said they expect complete integration to take about three years.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, or e-mail pdtwriter@ryanscottottney.com.