The drums’ roll echoed throughout the University Union Thursday signaling the beginning of a new era at Sacramento State.

A new logo and motto for Sac State replaced the California Seal during an unveiling in the University Union Ballroom.

A six-person design team from Osaki Design, Inc. spent about four months interviewing over 500 faculty, students and staff from the campus and researching the history of Sacramento and Sac State.

Gonzalez said that Osaki Design was paid $34,000 for the project. Using the information collected, the team, led by CEO Kurt Osaki, spent two months creating and designing the official logo.

“The new logo gives us a fresh start,” said Tom Carroll, program adviser of student activities. “The old logo (the campus seal) was getting old; when it was shrunk down, you couldn’t see all of the detail.”

Two S’s emerging from a torch rising from a river will adorn letterheads, T-shirts and mugs.

The logo was unveiled not only at the event in the ballroom, but also on the campus Web site, which also got a facelift.

University President Alexander Gonzalez said the new logo represents leadership and community. During the events leading up to the unveiling of the logo, Sacramento City Councilman Steve Cohen presented Gonzalez with a resolution proclaiming Sept. 1, “Sacramento State Day.”

After accepting the resolution and prior to unveiling the logo, Gonzalez said, “In this time where we are bombarded with information everyday-this logo will give Sacramento State a consistent look. “It will symbolize our leaders and our hope for the future.”

Students and faculty members were happy with the new logo. Most had noted its simplicity.

Junior business major Loren Kaplan said, “It’s good because it gives a new air for Sacramento State University. It proves that we’re more than just a commuter school.”

One concern of students regarding the new logo was if this change was going to raise the tuition.

Laurie Hall, of public affairs, said that since the board of trustees produced the money for the logo, students’ tuition fees should not be affected.

Hall said all of the previous letterheads and business cards will be used up, then faculty and staff can start using new printed stationary.

Junior nursing major Jill Hall said, “The money could’ve been spent on something more important, but it is our school name.”

Osaki Design worked on other logos for other universities and companies. San Diego State University’s mascot and the University of Hawaii’s “H” are two examples of the designer’s previous work.

“I like the simplicity of the logo,” Osaki said of Sac State’s design.

?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”?”

Jamie Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]