Lethbridge Polytechnic unveils new logo

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 25, 2024.

Lethbridge Polytechnic unveiled its new logo earlier this week.

The buzz of excitement could be felt radiating throughout the Centre Core at Lethbridge Polytechnic from students and faculty alike as the institution unveiled its new logo earlier this week.

Lethbridge Polytechnic officially switched to a polytechnic on Sept. 5.

This change was the fourth rebranding for the institution since opening as Lethbridge Jr. College in 1957 and was the first publicly funded college in Canada. In 1969 the institution changed their name to Lethbridge Community College and in 2007 to just Lethbridge College.

In a speech at the unveiling ceremony Nathan Neudorf, MLA for Lethbridge East recalled fond memories in his time at Lethbridge Community College as he trained to become a Red Seal journeyman carpenter.

“I know personally how important and valuable institutions like this are to our communities,” said Neudorf.

When Neudorf was a chair for the Lethbridge Construction Association, he made a $100,000 contribution to what would end up being the Trades Wing.

With the new name comes hope for new possibilities for post-secondary students across the country.

Rajan Sawhney, minister for advanced education, says having a polytechnic in Southern Alberta is a game changer.

“There are so many opportunities for postsecondary students but having a polytechnic is a game changer because it’s going to attract people from across the country,” said Sawhney.

Sawhney added that the new name will send a positive message to those who want quality education, especially when it comes to the trades.

While Brad Donaldson, chief executive officer and president of Lethbridge polytechnic, anticipated the logo launch would be an exciting event, he was blown away by the turnout.

“I knew it would be a good event for the institution, but the turnout today: the buzz, the excitement and the response to our new logo exceeds what I possibly hoped could happen,” said Donaldson.

The logo encompasses some previously used themes such as the blue and green gradient which represents the students’ connection to the land and the sky as well as the coulees and mountains which can both be viewed on the grounds of the polytechnic.

Some new elements are the circular logo which represents the inclusivity of the institutions and triangles around the logo to symbolize a tipi circle to commemorate the lands the institution stands on.

Donaldson says the institution wanted the logo to be simple but powerful as it will be what represents them going forward.

“We wanted the representation to be simple, but powerful, but when you see it, you know it’s Lethbridge Polytechnic,” said Donaldson.

Along with the logo unveil, a new symbol was added to the polytechnic’s Winter Count Robe to commemorate the event.

The Winter Count Robe was given to the Polytechnic by William Singer III (Api’soomaahka-Running Coyote) a Kainai Knowledge keeper.

The Winter Count Robe includes prominent events of the institution since its opening through pictographs.

Singer says the symbol of the new logo on the Winter Count Robe is similar to the polytechnic’s logo, but it also represents is the continuous growth and higher learning.

“It’s really fitting to show something like this in a place like (Lethbridge Polytechnic) because these are two systems of education. This (Winter Count Robe) is compact as it is but has a wealth of story. It goes way back into time,” said Singer.

Donaldson says he felt like a kid on Christmas and is excited about the future of the institution.

“The excitement is almost like Christmas…we can promote the logo we can have it as our own visual identity so it’s that next step and I’m really excited and looking forward to that,” said Donaldson.