LINCOLN, Neb. - A project with roots dating back 10 years comes to fruition in 2026 as Nebraska Wesleyan University unveils a refreshed brand identity and cohesive academic and athletic logo systems.
 
"These updates honor the traditions that define Nebraska Wesleyan while embracing the evolution of who we've become, "NWU President Darrin Good said. "They give us a clear and confident way to tell our story — one that reflects a campus community proudly moving forward."
 
On the academic side, a new monogram features an interlocking "N" and "W", representing Nebraska Wesleyan with a clean, modern look that is easily recognizable in a variety of environments.
 
In athletics, an updated Prairie Wolf modernizes NWU's athletic identity more than 25 years after the mascot was first introduced.
 
"This is an exciting time for our athletic department. By updating our Prairie Wolf logo and incorporating Nebraska Wesleyan in our primary logos, I know our brand awareness will be strengthened," NWU Director of Athletics Dwight Merilatt said. "I can't wait to see our new marks on our team apparel, and I'm excited about our new retail sales opportunities."
 
Nebraska Wesleyan's previous logo system, featuring the university's stone archway and the Prairie Wolf, was introduced in 2000, when NWU changed its mascot from the Plainsman to the Prairie Wolf and shifted its school colors from brown and yellow to black and gold.
 
Designed before the advent of social media, this system wasn't always suited to current digital contexts. And the old academic logo's slender lettering was often illegible from a distance.