This is a list of some University mottos, some of them unofficial. If anyone has any information on adding to or correcting this list, please email me: tf_mcq <at> yahoo.com.
| University | Motto | translation |
|---|---|---|
| University of California | Fiat lux. | Let there be light. (Genesis 1:3) |
| University of Oregon | Mens agitat molem. | Mind moves matter. |
| Oregon State University | Open Minds, Open Doors | |
| University of Washington | Lux sit. | Let there be light. |
| Washington State University | World class. Face to face. | |
| Stanford University | Die Luft der Freiheit weht. | The wind of freedom blows. (Ulrich von Hutten) |
| University of Southern California | Palmam qui meruit ferat. | Let whoever earns the palm bear it. |
| University of San Francisco | Pro Urbe et Universitate | For the city and the university |
| University of Idaho | A legacy of leading -or- From here you can go anywhere! |
|
| University of Montana | Lux et veritas | Light and truth |
| California Institute of Technology | The truth shall make you free. | John 8:32 (Veritas liberabit vos.) |
| University of Arizona | Bear down, Arizona. -or- Sursum. | Upwards |
| Arizona State University | Ditat Deus. (State motto & on seal) | God enriches. |
| California State University | Vox veritas vita. | Speak the truth as a way of life. |
| University of Colorado | ΛΑΜΨΑΤΩ ΤΟ ΦΏΣ ΥΜΏΝ | Let your light shine. |
| Harvard University | Veritas (originally: Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae) |
Truth (originally, Truth for Christ and the church) |
| Yale University | Lux et Veritas Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit. |
Light and Truth. (In Hebrew, Urim and Thummim:
אורים
ותומים) Someday, perhaps, it will be pleasant to remember all this. The Aeneid (I,203) |
| Princeton University | Dei sub numine viget | Under God's power she flourishes |
| Brown University | In Deo speramus | In God we hope |
| Dartmouth College | Vox Clamantis in Deserto | A voice crying out in the wilderness (Isaiah 40:3) |
| University of Pennsylvania | Leges sine Moribus vanae | Laws without morals are useless |
| Columbia University | In lumine tuo videbimus lumen | In thy light we shall see light. (Psalm 36.9) |
| Cornell University | I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study. | – Ezra Cornell, 1865 |
| University of Chicago | Crescat scientia; vita excolatur. | Let knowledge increase; let life be enriched. |
| University of Oxford | Dominus illuminatio mea. | The Lord [is] my light. (Psalm 27.1) |
| University of Cambridge | Hinc lucem et pocula sacra | From here light and sacred draughts [knowledge]. |
| M. I. T. | Mens et Manus | Mind and hand. |
| Marquette University | Numen flumenque | God and the River |
| Ohio State University | Disciplina in civitatem | Education for Citizenship |
| Indiana University | Lux et Veritas | Light and Truth |
| Purdue University | Education, Research, Service | |
| University of Illinois | Learning and Labor | |
| University of Michigan | Artes, scientia, veritas | Arts, knowledge, truth |
| Michigan State University | Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives. -or- The Pioneer Land Grant College |
|
| University of Minnesota | Commune vinculum omnibus artibus | A common bond for all the arts |
| Northwestern University | Quaecumque sunt vera | Whatsoever things are true |
| Iowa State University | Science with practice | |
| University of Kansas | Videbo visionem manc magnam quare non comburatur rubus. | I will see this great vision in which the bush does not burn. (Exodus 3:3) |
| University of Nebraska | Literis dedicata et omnibus artibus | Dedicated to letters and all the arts |
| University of North Dakota | Lux et Lex | Light and Law |
| University of Texas | Disciplina praesidium civitatis | Education, the Guardian of Society |
| University of Oklahoma | Civi et reipublicae | For the citizens and for the state |
| Lincoln University | If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36) | |
| Clark-Atlanta University | "I'll Find a Way or Make One" (Atlanta U) "Culture for Service" (Clark College) |
|
| Howard University | Veritas et Utilitas | Truth and Service |
| Morehouse College | Et Facta Est Lux | And there was light. |
| Spelman College | Our whole school for Christ | |
| Hampton University | The Standard of Excellence, An Education for Life | |
| Fisk University | Her sons and daughters are forever on the altar. | |
| Tuskegee University | Scientia Principatus Opera | Knowledge, Leadership, Service |
| Rutgers University | Sol justitiae et occidentem illustra. | Sun of righteousness, shine upon the West also. |
| Fordham University | Sapientia et doctrina | Wisdom and learning |