In late October 2021, a mammoth banner appeared on the west side of Capital’s Blackmore Library, revealing the new university mascot. A stylized rendering of the logo spans the full 21-foot width of the sign, and the words, “In Radiant Splendor Shine” boldly announce the arrival of a new era at Capital.
To some, the merging of the new logo with these four words made an immediate connection. The beauty in the metaphorical pairing of a line, lifted from Capital’s Alma Mater, with its new trans-stellar mascot intrigued their imagination. It provided immediate clarity on how the new school nickname aligns with the institution.
Yet to others, the playful message may have appeared to be a galactic stretch. Instead of being inspired by the banner’s poetic and reflective message, the grammarians may ask why a fragmented sentence would hang so prominently on our library. To them, the phrase on the sign was missing more than a subject and a verb. It was missing context.
The banner provides a fitting homage to our entire Capital community: The students who continue to shine through the challenges of a global pandemic, the committed faculty and staff who want to see them succeed, and the treasured alumni who continue to support Capital’s mission and vision. After much deliberation on how to express gratitude for our bright and shining community, a buried treasure resurfaced in prose that the departed George Dell, ’23, long-time professor of English, wrote many years ago.
“In Radiant Splendor Shine” was penned by Dell, a man of many talents: poet, playwright, novelist, artist, historian, and composer. In 2013, the Class of 1964 presented the George Dell Memorial Scholarship in celebration of his life and the impact he had on the lives of so many. You can learn about his prolific contributions here.
A deeper, more reflective part of school pride is invoked when memories and friendships from the past float to the surface. This is the role of our Alma Mater.
“In Radiant Splendor Shine” appears frequently on pole banners on Capital’s campus grounds.
School songs have long contributed to the pride of the students, and this is evidenced at Capital on many occasions. When spirit and high energy are needed, like in sporting events, Pride of the Purple is sung, also with lyrics written by Dell. When restoration, community, and peace of mind are needed, nothing ministers to the heart better than the Chapel Choir’s a cappella, The Lord Bless and Keep You.
A deeper, more reflective part of school pride is invoked when memories and friendships from the past float to the surface. This is the role of our Alma Mater. It may not be fully recognized in the present, especially for students who are still in the process of making tomorrow’s memories. But sometime in the future, when our education reaches full circle, we realize the wonderful fullness of having a shared identity in a school that nurtured us when we were green with experience – and knowledge. When a community sings the Alma Mater, it professes the deepest measure of pride, and the banner on the library makes sense after all.
Below is the full verse from Capital’s Alma Mater that inspired the banner:
O Capital, to thee we pledge devotion;
In ev’ry heart we’ll build for thee a shrine,
Until from ocean side to endless ocean
Thy name alone in radiant splendor shine!
Until from ocean side to endless ocean
Thy name alone in radiant splendor shine!
To the tune of Finlandia – Jean Sibelius (arr. Swearingen)
Words by George Dell ’23, Professor of English, 1925-1968
Brandwidth is written for our Capital community and exists to continually broaden, challenge, and provide deeper insight behind our brand. If you have questions about something you see in our branding, email us at imc@capital.edu. We will try our best to find an answer!