About CU
University: Cornerstone University Seal
The Cornerstone University Seal, the official mark of the university, is displayed near the top on the face on the largest circumference – the Orb – of the mace. The seal features scalloped edges with the university name and the date of the institution’s founding, 1941, on the outer ring of the seal. The name "Cornerstone” is a beautiful biblical metaphor for Christ, the Chief Cornerstone. This metaphoric term further connotes “first things,” enduring and absolute values like truth, beauty, virtue, peace, faith, love, life, liberty and hope. The term “cornerstone” possesses a certain poetic elegance and dignity, and it symbolizes stability and permanence even as it symbolizes growth and development. To build a Christian higher education upon the Chief Cornerstone is to provide a foundational moral education for life, calling and career. The term “university” implies not only a recognized organizational structure in higher education but also a philosophy that acknowledges the integration of all knowledge and truth in Christ, the One who is before all things and in whom all things hold together.
Within the next ring of the seal, the university’s motto, Excellens Academica cum Commisso Christo, is displayed. The motto is written in Latin and means “Academic Excellence with Christian Commitment.” The motto was coined in 1963 by former Executive Vice President and emeritus faculty member Dr. Warren Faber when the college and seminary were expanding coursework in the liberal arts and moving from Wealthy Street to the campus on the East Beltline. The Latin language of the university’s motto was developed in 1994 when the college’s name became “Cornerstone.” The words of the motto are separated on the seal by leafy branches symbolizing the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical well-being and growth students should experience as a result of their academic studies.
Within the ring of the motto on the seal is a shield, denoting faith, which contains a depiction of an open Bible as a symbol of the university’s commitment to the revealed Word of God, backed by a torch as a symbol of the light of learning. Together these images illustrate the university’s commitment to an integration of biblical faith with learning and life as a foundation for the academic experience and the entirety of the university’s programs. The flame in the torch is made of blood and satin wood, giving it a naturally colored deep red hue with yellow highlights. Ebony wood is used for the torch and to outline the Bible within the shield.
The pages of the Bible on the seal are made of oak taken from Community Bible Baptist Church (formerly Wealthy Street Baptist Church), Grand Rapids, Mich. (the place where the school was founded in 1941 and where classes were conducted until 1964 when the school moved to its current campus). This small piece of unstained oak, among the strongest of woods, represents an important and valued link with the students, alumni, professors, staff members, trustees and friends of the school from days gone by. The oak from the school’s past was used to configure the pages of the open Bible to symbolize the university’s emotional and spiritual connection with all who are part of the university’s heritage and community of faith. With this small token, Cornerstone University thanks and salutes those from the early years whose prayers, gifts and sacrifices made possible decades of Christian higher education to thousands of students.
Christian Worldview: Creation
Christian Worldview: Fall
Christian Worldview: Redemption
Christian Worldview: Consummation
State of Michigan: Petoskey Stone
State of Michigan: Grand River Rapids
Scripture: Chi Rho
Scripture: Stones
Scripture: The World
Scripture: Revelation 11:15
University: Golden Eagles
University: Cornerstone University Seal
University: Commissioning Date
Introduction
A History of the University Mace
The Story of the University Mace
Telling a Story - Bottom to Top
Mace Bearer
Presenting and Displaying the University Mace
Expressions of Appreciation
A Word from Dr. Orpha Galloway
