On Monday, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) unveiled a fresh new look for its Colonel logo. The university says this new design gives the Colonel a bold, modern identity.
“When we call ourselves Colonels, it’s not only our mascot—it’s the essence of who we are and what we do at Eastern Kentucky University,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We listened to feedback and were encouraged by how strongly our community continues to affiliate with the EKU Colonel. While we’ve carried the Colonel name for more than 60 years, the look and feel of the mascot has evolved. In our initiative to elevate the EKU brand, this newest iteration embraces our history in a modern way, carving out a prominent space for the institution to firmly and uniquely stand.”
The Colonel brand evolution has been more than three years in the making. Throughout the process, the university engaged in a comprehensive listening tour that included focus groups with students, alumni, faculty and staff, and members of the local community. The new EKU Colonel logo was developed in partnership with Dallas based design firm Torch Creative. According to its website, Torch Creative has collaborated with other colleges including Michigan State, Louisiana State, and Southern Illinois.
EKU officials say the project moved through multiple iterations and refinements to ensure the final product reflects the voices of the EKU community while shaping the university’s future.
“We’re proud to introduce this updated version of the Colonel,” said EKU Vice President and Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. “Our new Colonel logo pays respect to the tradition that makes Eastern Kentucky University special, while giving us a strong, modern and unique identity that our student-athletes, alumni and fans can be proud of.”
The new Colonel logo is a continuation of the university’s goal of increasing brand awareness and differentiating itself from competitors. The logo design conveys confidence and liveliness while embodying the welcoming, friendly campus atmosphere at EKU. The logo design portrays a sense of pride and strength, highlighting EKU’s unique position of service.
The Colonel dons his familiar hat and tie, with colors including EKU’s official maroon and gray.
“I am a three-time EKU graduate, my wife graduated from EKU and now all of our daughters are highly successful EKU grads. We are a proud Colonel family, and it’s very special to me being a product of this university and from our service region,” said Dr. James Kirby Easterling, director and associate professor of global supply chain management. “My favorite professor, Dr. Bertee Adkins, invested heavily in me during my time at EKU and afterwards, and now I try to emulate that same Colonel spirit of care, compassion and commitment to my students. I’m excited to see a modernized version of this beloved mascot that we can rally around as a community.”
