(SARATOGA SPRINGS, New York — Oct. 04, 2019) SUNY Empire State College, the State University of New York’s only statewide, distributed institution, has unveiled a new logo to represent its mission of educational opportunity for students at any stage of life.

The new logo, pictured below, features a burning torch wrapped in the tradition of a SUNY Empire shield, cast in an energized shade of SUNY Empire orange. The torch hints at the iconic torch of the Statue of Liberty, a global symbol of leadership and opportunity, with the flames subtly suggesting the “E” of the former SUNY Empire logo.

The updated branding includes a new color palette and font kit to modernize the college’s visual identity as it undertakes ambitious initiatives to offer a high-quality, affordable, and personalized education that advances the goals of busy learners without slowing them down.

“New York — the Empire State — is known around the world as the place where people come and make things happen,” said SUNY Empire State College President Jim Malatras. “SUNY Empire State College delivers on that promise by helping busy students advance their personal and professional goals with an education that fits their lives. Our new logo embodies the vision of opportunity for all on which this college was founded.”

“SUNY Empire State College has been a leader in personalized, blended learning for nearly 50 years, offering educational opportunities to many people who may have thought the door to a college degree was closed,” said James W. Hall, founding president of SUNY Empire from 1971-1998. “Our innovative model seems more relevant now than ever. I’m happy to see the college’s brand re-energized with a modern, bold look that conveys the spirit of opportunity that our students find here.”

The new branding was launched on the SUNY Empire website today, and will begin appearing on all college materials over the coming months.

In addition to opportunity and hope, the torch signifies leadership. SUNY Empire has been the torch-bearer for personalized, innovative higher education for nearly 50 years, leading the way for others to follow in distance learning (now online learning), awarding credit for life experience, mentoring in higher education, and adult education.

Today, the college educates more than 17,000 students both online and in person with more than 30 locations around New York state and seven international sites. Its unique personalized curriculum allows students to earn credit for prior learning and life experience, then build a degree that fits their needs and lifestyle.

About SUNY Empire State College

SUNY Empire State College educates more than 17,000 students in person, online, and through a blend of both, at more than 30 locations in New York and at eight international sites worldwide. Together with one of SUNY Empire’s more than 1,300 faculty mentors, each student designs their own individualized pathway to a college degree that accommodates their schedule and awards credit for prior college-level learning. SUNY Empire awards more than 3,000 degrees annually and 94 percent of graduates stay in New York state. Today, more than 87,000 SUNY Empire alumni are entrepreneurs, veterans, and active members of the military, professional athletes, teachers, medical professionals, and leaders in their field, as well as in their communities. To learn more, visit www.esc.edu and follow the college on social media @SUNYEmpire.