UHCL : New HAWKS, UHCL Letters Reaffirm University Spirit And Pride

Press release from University of Houston-Clear Lake:

November 1, 2021

Hawks are fierce, swift birds of prey — but even beautiful, powerful raptors could
use a makeover sometimes.

New, illuminated letters proclaiming University of Houston-Clear Lake is HAWK territory
were installed last week in two locations on campus. The HAWKS letters were erected
on University Drive at the Bay Area Boulevard entrance, and the UHCL letters were
placed between the Bayou Building and the Student Services and Classroom Building
facing Alumni Plaza. The two signs are the university's sharp new symbols of pride
and school spirit.

The iconic white HAWK and UHCL letters, which had stood over 10 years, were removed
in early September in favor of updated, more artistic blue-and-green emblems to use
as backdrops for the next generations of graduation photos and selfies.

"This was a joint effort between the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, Facilities Management and Construction, and Vice President for Administration and Finance Mark Denney," said Aaron Hart, vice president of Student Affairs. "We got four good examples of letters from a sign contractor and sent it to the
students for their vote."

Hart said that no faculty or staff member, nor any university administrator, had any
vote in the selection of the new letters. "This is a completely student-driven change
on our campus," he said. "Once we got the students' design choice, we told the contractors
to go ahead."

Shelby Kuepker, coordinator for Organizations and Activities and Hawk Spirit and Traditions Council adviser, said the letters would remain a big part of the university's culture. "There
are a lot of signature events connected to the letters, including the annual 'Lighting
of the Letters' event, that always takes place in December," she said. "We'll find
a creative way to do that, since the letters are already lit. We have some ideas about
how to keep that tradition going with the new letters, and we'll continue to plan
activities around those spaces on our campus."

So far, Kuepker said, students have had a very positive response to the new signage.
"Everyone loves that they are illuminated at night, and they're becoming a fun part
of the student experience — taking photos with the letters at important times in their
college life," she said. "They're blue and green, so they're spreading a little more
Hawk spirit."

Learn more about UHCL school spirit and traditions online.

This press release was produced by University of Houston-Clear Lake. The views expressed here are the author’s own.