The Seal of Mercyhurst College is a simple rendering. Its most prominent element is the cross of the Sisters of Mercy shown on a shield with four bars. The Seal reminds us of our history, steeped in the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy and the spirit of the Catholic liberal arts tradition. The Seal reminds us to be conscious of the present moment, our commitment to each other, and to serve to the community our Mission calls us to serve. And finally, the Seal reminds us that we are responsible to the future and that our actions become the legacy we will leave to the Mercyhurst College of tomorrow.

In the banner for the Hafenmaier School, the individual disciplines come together through symbol as one human hand reaches towards another, expressing the grace of shared endeavor as humans strive to know themselves, transmit their learning, and better their world. The stack of books rises from the center and reflects Education as a critical foundation and inspiration for life-long learning. Psychology, represented by the Greek letter "Psi," springs from the opening pages, while the brightly-colored ribbon of fabric, representing the Family and Consumer Sciences, forms the book mark.

Representing the most ancient avenues of human investigation and expression are the Arts and Humanities. By means of the Arts and Humanities, people find the voice and courage to create forms that inspire the mind and heart and liberate the soul. Music and Dance are represented by the lyre, and the pallet symbolizes the Fine Arts. Finally, the inkpot and quill, representing the written word of literature, philosophy, and theology, center the image on the power of language and the centrality of artistic expression in human experience.

Just as the banner's design lies not in a separation of parts but rather in the harmony of the composition as a whole, thus do the sciences conceive of their individual disciplines as part of a total principle of science as a means of rational inquiry into nature. The span of the Vetruvian Man's reach is bridged by a crown of laurel, the ancient reward for achievement. Mathematics, the sister discipline of the sciences, is represented by the abacus. Finally, the fidelity of the sciences and mathematics to the eternal quest for knowledge is represented by the torch.

The industriousness, creativity, and boundless energy of humans in society are represented by the symbols of discipline within the Walker School. The heraldic lion, representing Business, is a symbol of strength and courage in commerce as it is guided by honor, ethics, and justice. The lion holds aloft a pineapple, the international symbol for Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. Finally, the Mercator map, representing the power of Communication to bind global society, provides the ground upon which all three disciplines connect and interrelate.

The disciplines within the Social Sciences come together in symbols that reflect the beauty and strength of humans in society across time and place. Centered on the banner, the globe symbolizes History as the foundation for understanding the past, present, and future of human interactions, achievements, and challenges. Against this backdrop, the Scales of Justice depicts fidelity to the Rule of Law, the hallmark of successful human societies and a guiding principle of the disciplines of Criminal Justice and Political Science. Finally, figures reflecting the diversity of human beings on the planet joined in shared endeavor and commitment represent Sociology and Social Work and emphasize the crucial role community plays in uniting the Social Sciences.

At the center of the graduate school banner is the lamp of learning, which symbolizes knowledge and the quest for deeper understanding through advanced education. The laurel, which is the root of the word "baccalaureate," the foundation degree underlying all graduate education, surrounds and supports the lamp. The key represents the need for open and honest inquiry in the search for truth. Finally, the three stars represent worlds unknown and symbolize the on-going commitment of graduate education to new theoretical possibilities and worlds of knowledge yet to be discovered.