Hartford Seminary Announces Name, Logo Change

HARTFORD, CT — Hartford Seminary has announced it will change its name to Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, or simply Hartford International University (HIU), according to a statement from the school. The 187-year-old graduate institution said the name change is part of broadening its mission.

"The name change is the culmination of a 2-year-long strategic planning initiative that positions the university as a global leader in interreligious education, peace studies, and religion research," the statement reads.

The university plans to add a new area of study– executive and professional education – intended to bring the university’s expertise to a wide array of workplaces and institutions.

"We initiated the name change to better reflect the expanded, international scope of our rigorous academic programs, research, and partnerships," University President Joel N. Lohr said in a statement.

"We're excited about our future here because the world today, more than ever before, needs the kind of education we provide," he said. "The goal we’ve set for ourselves is to show that religion and peace are deeply connected. Or, put another way, there will be no peace in this world until there is understanding among religions."

The university’s new outreach through executive and professional education is intended to bring its message to a much wider community.

"Our mission is even more relevant today, where our neighbors increasingly reflect the diversity of our world," Lohr said. "We speak different languages, eat different cuisine, dress differently, and practice different faiths or no faith at all. We see this as a critical – and missing – part of the diversity, equity, and inclusion conversation. Employees shouldn’t have to check an important piece of their identity at the door."

The new Hartford International University logo has five geometric shapes that come together to form an ascending dove. The five colors of the logo represent the colors found in the flags of the world.