Toronto Metropolitan University Unveils New University Seal
Following a student design contest that attracted nearly 60 thoughtful and creative submissions, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has a new university seal.
The winning seal was designed by Stella He, a fourth-year business management, marketing student from the Ted Rogers School of Management. She was inspired to centre her design around a silhouette of the Sheldon & Tracy Levy Student Learning Centre (SLC)—making it the focal point of the seal—because it is an iconic landmark for the university and the place where learning, creativity and growth happens. She sees the SLC as a place “where connections and bonds are formed between students, staff and faculty.”
As the winning designer, He takes home a $2,000 tuition waiver, “I’m delighted to have won this contest,” said He. “It’s nice to be a part of this massive shift the university has undergone and is continuing to undergo. It means a lot to me that I’m leaving behind a legacy after graduation in a way that is significant to me.”
University seal in TMU blue with an illustration of the SLC in the centre
Stella He hopes that the new seal reminds the TMU community of the valuable time they have spent at the university.
The new seal reflects several characteristics of the university community. “The border with dotted lines represents the individuality and diversity of members of TMU,” He says. “The dots form a circular border embracing the SLC, representing the coming together of each of these members, bonding and moving forward for the betterment of the institution, the community and society overall.”
“It’s an honour that our iconic design of the Student Learning Centre has been chosen as the symbol for TMU’s new seal,” said Vaidila Banelis, senior partner at Zeidler Architecture. “Since its opening, it’s been wonderful to see how much the SLC has been embraced by the TMU community and we’re thrilled that it has become part of the university’s defining identity.”
A panel of two faculty members, two staff members and one alumna carefully reviewed submissions and shortlisted three designs. The top design was then presented to the TMU Board of Governors for approval.
“We wanted to engage students in this process as a way for them to have a direct impact on TMU’s evolving identity,” TMU President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi said. “I’m very pleased with the winning design and believe it captures our university’s new name and future – I look forward to seeing it in print.”
The new seal will soon be featured on official TMU documents such as graduation parchments, certificates and more.