On Kansas Day, University of Kansas launches branding campaign

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod speaking to group at Jayhawk Welcome Center with large screen displaying "Towering Toward the Blue."

Chancellor Douglas A. Girod speaks about the new brand, "Towering Toward the Blue," at a gathering on the Lawrence campus Jan. 16.

Wed, 01/29/2025

Erinn Barcomb-Peterson

LAWRENCE — Beginning today, the University of Kansas is taking a fresh approach to the way it presents itself to Kansans and people across the nation.

Dubbed “Towering Toward the Blue,” the campaign is designed to emphasize KU’s contributions across the state and beyond to teaching, research and economic development.

“The University of Kansas is a top research, teaching and service enterprise,” said Chancellor Douglas A. Girod. “Now more than ever it’s important for all our stakeholders to know the value KU delivers them and the high level at which we deliver it.”

The campaign points to KU’s role as a national leader in higher education. The state’s flagship university is one of just 71 member institutions in the Association of American Universities.

“Students, Kansans and society at large all benefit from the tremendous work happening at KU,” said Karla Leeper, vice chancellor for strategic communications and public affairs. “KU creates powerful and broad value, from the graduates who enter the workforce to the discoveries that change lives to the services we provide across the state and country. Our new campaign highlights these contributions.”

The campaign is the result of a year’s worth of input from thousands of members of the public in Kansas and across the country, as well as KU staff, faculty and alumni. It launches on the day Kansas became a state 164 years ago.

“People will be invited to experience, watch, read and engage with what KU creates,” said Chris Gregory, chief marketing officer. “Right now at KU, we are preparing future teachers, working on cancer treatments, training Kansas first responders, studying how to turn algae into energy, strengthening national security, helping attract new employers to Kansas and more. The new campaign provides people more visibility to all that KU is doing for them and their communities.”

Kansans and others outside the state can expect to see updated messaging and a fresh visual style in multimedia campaigns and interactive stories that highlight the university’s contributions.