Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University will celebrate "A Century of Spirit" as it marks its centennial in 2006, and one of the most visible symbols of that celebration was unveiled today.

The Centennial Logo, designed by Cheryl Davis, a senior from Goodlettsville, Tenn., will be the University's brand for the celebration, according to WKU President Gary Ransdell.

"A brand is simply a promise of what an organization intends to do through a graphic image," Dr. Ransdell said, "and this Centennial Logo indeed makes the promise that this will be an exciting year-long celebration, an opportunity to allow this university to celebrate its history and lay the foundation for a very promising future."

David Lee, chair of the Centennial Committee and dean of the Potter College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, said Davis' entry was chosen from among 30 submitted by students in the art department in a competition headed by Matt Tullis. From the original 30, seven were chosen and the students asked to make presentations to the committee, he said.

Dr. Lee said the logo will be visible "everyplace you look around this campus, around Bowling Green and Warren County and even a good bit beyond." He said it will on athletic uniforms to merchandise to banners.

"I'm a historian so I'm always thinking 'what are folks going to look back and say?' Dr. Lee asked. "When the bicentennial of this University is celebrated, somebody is going to pull this out and say "Cheryl Davis, she did a really nice piece of work back in 2005.' "

Dr. Lee said the student competition was an example of how WKU gives students special opportunities to be involved in special projects and "the really wonderful things that are going on in undergraduate education at Western."

For more information, contact Bob Edwards, (270) 745-5428.