The Great Seal: Rope, Border, Bricks, and Motto
The framework of the Great Seal consists of four supporting elements: rope, red border with Latin phrase, bricks, and the university motto.
Rope
The rope, provided by the Delta Upsilon fraternity, was used in the Greek Week tug-of-war for years. It's actually four ropes—each up to 80-feet long—woven together. Nathan Foley, a master's student in sculpture, designed the pattern for how the rope would be laid out and wrapped over a bent steel pipe.
Border
Sigillum Universitatis Miamiensis
This phrase is Latin for "the seal of Miami University."
Bricks
Robert Keller (Miami '73), Miami's planning and design manager, strategically incorporated the familiar red bricks into the Great Seal.
Bricks were recovered years ago during construction projects to both Stoddard and Elliott halls, the oldest residence halls on campus, and other Miami buildings. The bricks will stand on end and comprise the 60 square-shaped dots that encircle the traditional two-dimensional seal.
Motto
Prodesse Quam Conspici
To match that of the original Miami University seal, the Great Seal includes Miami's motto: Prodesse Quam Conspici. This Latin motto translates as "to accomplish without being conspicuous."
In an excerpt from Miami University: A Personal History, former university president Dr. Phillip R. Shriver wrote, "The key to life is achievement, not boasting about it; we are known by what we do rather than what we claim."
Construction of the Rope Border
