FAQ for Brand
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a brand?
What is Westminster College’s brand?
What is Westminster’s brand story?
What is Westminster’s mission statement?
How does the mission statement fit with the College’s brand?
How does our brand affect how we are viewed by the world?
What is a brand?
A brand succinctly states who we are and what is special about our institution. Brief and to the point, it is different than a mission statement. A brand should be the foundation and underlying, guiding principle of everything we communicate to the public about who we are. In short, our brand encompasses the heart of what Westminster College is all about.
What is Westminster College’s brand?
Careful research within the last decade revealed that Westminster historically excels at providing students with intensive focus and clarity in helping them discover their purpose while delivering a world-class liberal arts education. At Westminster, our faculty members help students hone their strengths, empowering them for remarkable achievements. After they pass through our iconic Columns and out into the world, they are prepared for lives of success, significance, and service. Thus our Westminster community speaks with a distinctive, differentiating voice that stands out from the typical higher education narrative. At Westminster, we believe everyone is born with a purpose, and our College empowers students to not simply be, but to become the embodiment of everything extraordinary that lives inside of us. The faculty, staff, and alumni of Westminster College are unified toward one goal: helping our students find their unique purpose so they can achieve great success ― The Power in Purpose. This has been the Westminster Way since 1851, where the leaders of our time have inspired the next generation of visionaries.
What is Westminster’s Brand Story?
Scrawled at the bottom of a note inviting former Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Britain to Westminster College in Fulton, MO, were the words, "This is a wonderful school in my home state. Hope you can do it. I'll introduce you. Best regards, Harry Truman." The president from Missouri proudly invited the British Bulldog to deliver his now-world-famous “Iron Curtain” speech because ― without even attending the College ― he knew in every fiber of his being about Westminster’s powerful reputation. And countless other world leaders have followed in Churchill’s footsteps since that time.
Harry Truman, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Clare Booth Luce, Caspar Weinberger, Maya Angelou, Mikhail Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher, Lech Walesa, James Baker, Bob Geldof, Jeh Johnson, Bernie Sanders, and Dr. Madeleine Albright … the list goes on. These innovators of their time are just a few to eagerly accept speaking invitations at the small liberal arts college. But why?
Located on a quiet, 86-acre campus, Westminster is far from the bustle of the U.S. Capitol, Wall Street, and the Houses of Parliament. The Hill, with its majestic Columns that have witnessed countless New Student Convocation and Commencement ceremonies (and beloved by students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike), is not exactly Mount Fuji. But Fulton has been named one of the “Coolest Small Towns in America” by Budget Travel Magazine. And this is where students are taught to wrestle with difficult concepts they eagerly debate with their peers. This is where respect of other opinions and beliefs is taught. This is where all-nighters with best friends for life take place. This is where old concepts are dusted off and discovered anew. This is where world policy is discussed. This is where history is made.
Founded in 1851 as Fulton College, Westminster assumed its present name in 1853. The College is ranked prestigiously by U.S. News & World Report as a National Liberal Arts College and is in the top 15 percent for graduate earnings. In addition, Westminster boasts a 98 percent placement rate and is a Forbes Best Value College.
All of the above accolades are possible because Westminster focuses on educating students in a uniquely personalized manner. Within our 29 majors and 39 minors, students are encouraged by faculty and staff who really know them. Teaching assistants and large, impersonal classrooms are not the experience here, where we have a 10:1 student-faculty ratio but offer more than 50 clubs and organizations. A vibrant Greek life is part of the student experience, if that is what you are looking for. And nearly 200 events typically take place on campus per year.
All of these facts boil down to one essential truth about this uncommon institution: Westminster educates and inspires students to find the power in their purpose in order to become the world leaders of tomorrow.
What is Westminster’s mission statement?
“It shall be the mission of Westminster College to educate and inspire all its students through a distinctive liberal arts curriculum and a dynamic developmental experience; to challenge them to be critically aware, lifelong learners and leaders of character, committed to the values of integrity, fairness, respect, and responsibility; and to prepare them for lives of success, significance, and service.”
How does the mission statement fit with the College’s brand?
Westminster’s mission statement is one facet of our overall Power and Purpose brand. The mission is interwoven into who we are and how we go about what we do every day.
How does our brand affect how we are viewed by the world?
Our brand should be who we are to you and how you describe Westminster to your friends, family, and colleagues. It should be the language you use to describe Westminster and what we do best. It should be consistent and conveyed with clarity throughout our publications, videos, and graphics. Our logo, Blue Jays mascot, institutional colors of blue (Pantone 540 and 292, specifically) and white as well as The Power and Purpose tagline are used consistently throughout our messaging so that Westminster College is an easily identifiable institution with a strong reputation.