EKU students question $32,500 cost of new Colonel logo

RICHMOND, Ky. (WKYT) - Some Eastern Kentucky University students are questioning the university’s $32,500 contract with a Texas design firm to create its new Colonel logo, saying the money could have gone toward other priorities.

“I’m seeing it pop everywhere, and it’s kind of disappointing because I think it just doesn’t look as good,” sophomore Claire Schield told WKYT. “But then I heard they spent over $30,000 on it for someone in Texas, I believe, to make it for us, and it makes zero sense to me.”

EKU said the logo was developed through a deliberate, multiyear process that included internal design teams, research and feedback from key stakeholders, including students. The university selected Texas-based Torch Creative for the project.

Freshman Gage Clark said EKU could have found someone with ties to the university to make the logo more meaningful. He said he would like to see the university spend its money more wisely.

“I think that is a lot of money and that it could’ve been a whole lot better,” Clark said. “I think that there was a lot of potential that it could’ve been a whole lot better.”

The logo debate comes months after students questioned another university expense.

In August, EKU said it would pay 25% of rapper Ice Spice’s planned compensation to cover agency costs after canceling her performance. The amount was more than $60,000.

Student Jarron Marks said he believes students’ priorities are not being considered.

“It just shows that our priorities, as far as where our money should go, are not in the minds of the students, in my opinion,” Marks told WKYT.

In a statement to WKYT, EKU said it has received positive feedback from members of the campus community, including excitement about seeing the new Colonel on apparel and merchandise. The university said the mark honors EKU’s history while giving the school a bold, distinctive identity.