SUNY Cobleskill has rebranded itself as SUNY Cobleskill Ag and Tech to bring its agriculture and technology fields to the forefront, launching the changes Monday, Oct. 20.
The rebranding includes “a refreshed visual identity, messaging grounded in extensive campus community input, and a new logo designed by current students,” according to a news release.
Spokesperson Jason Politi said the school’s longer name on paper is SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill, and the shortened name, SUNY Cobleskill, did not adequately articulate the agriculture and technology focus.
University President Marion Terenzio said from its roots, the school has been built on a foundation of agriculture and technology.
“How we’re leaning into it is boldly announcing to the world that we’ve always been this, and that SUNY Cobleskill Ag and Tech represents a clear declaration of our mission as a public institution serving the public good,” Terenzio said.
She said the learning and action approach sets the school apart. Education “should not be passive,” Terenzio said, so leaning into this distinction is important.
The news release stated that the rebrand was born out of research and engagement with the campus community through an internal Branding Committee. The school’s marketing and communications team led the creative direction and implementation, Terenzio said.
Saro Karageozian, a senior majoring in graphic design, designed the logo for the rebranding, which was chosen from about 200 options. He said after the first round of revisions, the main focus of the logo became the hills. Karageozian drew inspiration for the logo from American artist Frank Stella.
“Taking it in, it’s probably one of the biggest pieces I’ve made as a young college student,” Karageozian said. “It’s a new fresh look for the school, something that will have everyone talking about for sure. It will give us a new energetic look that will revamp the college in a way.”
Terenzio said the brand is supported by three pillars — “purpose filled programming” preparing students for professional careers, hands on learning and a “close-knit community” that delivers a sense of belonging across campus.
Marketing Manager Danielle King gave a presentation outlining the vision for the school’s brand moving forward, focusing on its visual identity. She said the goal was to create a logo that made a strong connection to the agriculture and technology fields they wanted to highlight. She said the school wanted to “make a statement about who we are” not only with existing audiences but new groups of people as well who may be less familiar with the institution.
There were discussions about whether or not to keep Cobleskill in the name, but King said there are many employers who recognize when students come from Cobleskill. She added that the goal was for the logo to be “modern” and “timeless” but not restricted by trends and to accentuate the hills.
Learning at SUNY Cobleskill does not only happen in books, King said, but largely in farms, labs and kitchens.
“From Day 1, you are immersed on this campus in your own personal lab,” King said. “This logo really demonstrates that across all of our programs, learning is hands on from day one, interdisciplinary and a deeply connected experience.”
Following the event, Terenzio said when she saw the logo, it screamed at her. She said agriculture and technology were the “two most important forces on the planet” in regards to human nourishment. It is not just about the name of the school but about highlighting the earth and sustainability, she said.
Out of 64 SUNY campuses, she added, SUNY Cobleskill considers itself the “premier ag and tech campus in applied learning.” She said the ag and tech aspect can only thrive under the applied learning.
“This rebrand loudly says what has always made this place so special, and I invite each of you to be the ambassadors of this vision as we write the next chapter together,” Terenzio said in her speech.