Catholic and Franciscan Identity

The TAU Cross represents Quincy University’s identity as a Christian and Franciscan institution of higher learning. Rooted in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, it reflects the university’s commitment to living and promoting core Franciscan values:

• Hospitality and Respect for All – Fostering a welcoming community that honors the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of every person.
• Reconciliation, Justice, and Peace – Striving to heal divisions, preserve unity, and promote harmony, recognizing that we are all part of one human family.
• Service to Others – Generously sharing our time, talents, and gifts in service to the Quincy University community and beyond, with openness to the transformative power of human encounter.
• Care for Creation – Embracing our responsibility to protect and nurture the Earth, our common home.

The Coat of Arms of Quincy University symbolizes the institution’s mission and values. The two blue wavy lines in the upper section of the shield represent the Mississippi River, along which both the city and the university are situated. They also signify the river of life—a journey each person must travel to find meaning, purpose, and self-actualization.

In heraldry, an open book is a traditional emblem of learning, representing a college or university. At Quincy University, a Franciscan institution, the book also points to three essential sources of wisdom:

1. The Book of Scriptures – Reveals who God is, who we are as God’s children, and how we are called to love one another as God loves us.
2. The Book of Life – Encourages self-reflection and personal growth, echoing the wisdom of Socrates: “An unreflective life is an unlived life.”
3. The Book of Creation – Reminds us that all creation reflects God’s goodness and beauty. As such, we are called to treat all people with dignity and respect and to care for the Earth, our common home.

The University’s Latin motto, Praeco Sum Magni Regis (“I am the Herald of a Great King”), reflects the Franciscan call to proclaim the Good News—through our actions, and when necessary, through words. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, Quincy University empowers students to live purposefully, share their gifts, and work for the common good.

The gold shield adorned with red diamonds references the coat of arms of Roger de Quincy, the second Earl of Winchester and a participant in the Third Crusade alongside Richard the Lionheart. The city of Quincy, Illinois, takes its name from John Quincy Adams, the sixth U.S. President, who inherited his middle name from his maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Quincy.

The color gold in the university’s identity represents generosity and the pursuit of lifelong learning. The diamonds symbolize the inherent value and dignity of every person. At Quincy University, all are called to nurture one another’s potential, fostering a community of character and impact.

The Tower, the logo of Quincy University’s logo, symbolizes the stability and strength that come from a Catholic and Franciscan liberal arts education. It stands as a beacon—inviting us to rise, to dream beyond the horizon, and to embrace the journey of lifelong learning. The Tower calls each person to be open to growth, transformation, and fullness of life in every dimension—intellectual, spiritual, and personal.

At Quincy University, the Hawk is more than a mascot — it’s a living symbol of who we are and who we strive to become. The Hawk captures the essential virtues we seek to cultivate in every student: vision, strength, courage, and decisiveness.

• Vision: With its keen eyesight, the hawk sees what others miss — the details, the bigger picture, the possibilities beyond the obvious. In the same way, Quincy University challenges students to sharpen their vision: to see with clarity, to think broadly, to recognize complexity, and to notice the small things that make a great difference.
• Strength: The hawk soars with power and resilience. Here at Quincy, we nurture strength not just of body and mind, but of heart and spirit — a strength grounded in Gospel values and a deep commitment to living with integrity.
• Courage: Hawks fly boldly into the unknown, never content with the familiar. Quincy University inspires students to do the same: to dream bigger, to rise higher, to have the courage to lead lives of purpose and passion — rejecting mediocrity and standing firmly for truth, even when it demands risk and sacrifice.
• Decisiveness: With precision and confidence, the hawk acts. So too, Quincy students are empowered to become decisive leaders — people who think critically, act wisely, and move boldly to make a difference in the world.

The Hawk’s very appearance reflects Quincy’s proud heritage. Its brown wings and white head mirror our University’s colors, themselves rooted in the humble brown habit and white cord of the Franciscan tradition — a tradition that calls us to simplicity, service, and deep compassion. The Hawk reminds us who we are. It calls us to soar — to rise with vision, strength, courage, and decisive action, grounded always in the spirit of Franciscan joy.