More University Mottos

Universities in most countries use Latin mottos to represent their thoughts, their character, inspirations, hopes, fortitude, belief and purposes.  According to Dictionary.com a motto is a noun and means, a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc. The secondary meaning says, a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.

Universities and colleges are institutions of higher education, and are likely to choose mottos to inspire their students to excel, and to achieve academic excellence.  You will probably be familiar with a number of the mottos used by well-known institutions.  I made sure to post the most famous of these universities and colleges, as well as the others that may not be known. 

I used several sources to locate the mottos, and their meanings as they posted them on their web sites.  I used Latin-Phrases.co.uk, and Classics Technology Center to locate the mottos and found many other useful, and interesting Latin phrases on those sites.

Tulane University                    Non sibi, sed suis.                   Not for herself, but for her own.

University of Puget Sound     Christus fundamentum           Christ is the foundation/beginning

Yale University                       Lux et veritas.                         Light and truth.

University of Michigan           Artes, scientia, veritas             The arts, knowledge, truth.

University of Tampa               Esse quam videri.                    To be rather than to seem.

Brown University                   In Deo speramus.                    In God we trust.

Harvard University                 Veritas.                                    Truth.

University of Washington       Lux sit.                                    Let there be light.

University of Scranton            Religio mores cultura.             Religion, morals, culture

University of Missouri            Salus populi.                            The welfare of the people.

Trinity University                    Pro ecclesia et praestare.         For church and country.

Fordham University                Sapientia et doctrina.              Wisdom and knowledge.

New York University             Perstare et praestare                To preserve and to surpass.

Dartmouth College                 Scientia sol mentis                  Knowledge, the sun of the mind.

Amherst College                     Terras irradient                        Let them illumine the earth.

Notre Dame University           Crux spes unica                       The cross is the only hope.

University of Portland            Veritas vos liberabit.               The truth will set you free.

Princeton University               Dei sub numine viget.             It flourishes under the will of God.

University of Vermont            Studiis et rebus honestis.        Through studies and upright affairs.

University of Guam                Excelsior.                                Higher.

University of Maine                Dirigo.                                     I lead.

University of Dayton              Pro Deo et patria.                    For God and country.

 motto. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved April 25, 2013, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/motto