The “Light” of Education

A university’s motto can say a lot about the school. It’s a mission statement created at the institution's inception meant to guide the school’s journey through the ages. For years, universities have incorporated the word “Light” in their mottos to signify the enlightenment that one attains through education and literacy. Through education, one of the best gifts you can give yourself is discovering the light within you. Light is one of the oldest and most meaningful symbols found in cultures and religions worldwide. In Hinduism, light has a special significance, especially during Diwali or the 'Festival of Lights when the triumph of light over darkness is celebrated with lamps and fireworks.

On this auspicious festival of lights, here is the significance of “light” in higher education with regard to universities’ mottos.

CANADA

Laurentian University

Motto: “Emitte Lucem Et Veritatem”

Language: Latin

English Translation: Send forth thy light and thy truth

St. Mary's University College, Calgary

Motto: In Lumine Tuo Videbimus Lumen

Language: Latin

English Translation: In Thy light shall we see light

University of Lethbridge

Motto: Fiat Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let there be light

University of Victoria

Motto: ויהי אור /

Multitudo sapientium sanitas orbis

Language: Hebrew/Latin

English Translation: Let there be light

A multitude of the wise is the health of the world

University of Winnipeg

Motto: Lux et Veritas Floreant

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let Light and Truth Flourish

INDIA

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Motto: तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय (tamaso mā jyotirgamaya)

Language: Sanskrit

English Translation: Lead me from darkness to light

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University

Motto: ज्योतिवृ्णीत तमसो विजानऩ (jyotivranit tamso vijajnam)

Language: Sanskrit

English Translation: Cleave the darkness and light through knowledge

National Institute of Technology Calicut

Motto: तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय (tamaso mā jyotir gamaya)

Language: Sanskrit

English Translation: From Darkness, Lead us unto Light

National Institute of Technology, Srinagar

Motto: الظلمات إلى النور /तमसो मा ज्योर्तिगमय

Language: Arabic/Sanskrit

English Translation: Lead me from Darkness to Light

Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University

Motto: tamaso mā jyotirgamaya / तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय /

Language: Sanskrit

English Translation: Lead us from Darkness to Light

United Kingdom

University of Bradford

Motto: Give invention light

Language: English

University of Cambridge

Motto: Hinc lucem et pocula sacra

Language: Latin

English Translation: From here, light and sacred draughts

Cranfield University

Motto: Post nubes, lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Out of darkness, light

University of Exeter

Motto: Lucem sequimur

Language: Latin

English Translation: We follow the light

Graduate College, Lancaster

Motto: Curiositas nostrum viam illuminat

Language: Latin

English Translation: Curiosity lights our way

University of Oxford

Motto: Dominus Illuminatio Mea

Language: Latin

English Translation: The Lord is my light

United States

Ana G. Méndez University

Motto: Studium ral lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light of enlightenment

Alfred University

Motto: Fiat Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let there be light

Amherst College

Motto: Terras Irradient

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let them give light to the world

Angelo State University

Motto: Fiat Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let there be light

Barton College

Motto: Habebunt Lumen Vitae

Language: Latin

English Translation: They shall have the light of life

University of California

Motto: Fiat Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let there be light

Case Western Reserve University

Motto: Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light

The Catholic University of America

Motto: Deus Lux Mea Est

Language: Latin

English Translation: God is my light

Chowan University

Motto: Lux et Veritas

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light and truth

Colby College

Motto: Lux Mentis Scientia

Language: Latin

English Translation: Knowledge is the light of the mind

University of Colorado

Motto: Λαμψατω το φώσ υμών

Language: Greek

English Translation: Let your light shine

Columbia University

Motto: In lumine Tuo videbimus lumen

Language: Latin

English Translation: In Thy light shall we see light

Franklin & Marshall College

Motto: Lux et lex

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light and law

University of Great Falls

Motto: In lumine tuo, videmus lumen

Language: Latin

English Translation: In Your light we see the light

Indiana University

Motto: Lux et Veritas

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light and truth

Johnson C. Smith University

Motto: Sit Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let There Be Light

University of Mary

Motto: Lumen Vitae

Language: Latin

English Translation: The light of life

Morehead State University

Motto: Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light

University of New Mexico

Motto: Lux Hominum Vita

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light of the life of mankind

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Motto: Lux Libertas

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light, liberty

Northeastern University

Motto: Lux, Veritas, Virtus

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light, truth, courage

Ohio Wesleyan University

Motto: In lumine tuo videbimus lumen

Language: Latin

English Translation: In your light we shall see the light

University of Richmond

Motto: Verbum Vitae et Lumen Scientiae

Language: Latin

English Translation: The word of life and the light of knowledge

Sonoma State University

Motto: Lux Mentis, Lux Orbis

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light of the mind, light of the world

Stonehill College

Motto: Lux et Spes

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light and hope

Texas Woman's University

Motto: Scientia Lumen Vitae

Language: Latin

English Translation: Knowledge brings light to life

Tufts University

Motto: Pax et Lux

Language: Latin

English Translation: Peace and light

Valparaiso University

Motto: In Tua Luce Videmus Lucem

Language: Latin

English Translation: In thy light we see light

University of Washington

Motto: Lux Sit

Language: Latin

English Translation: Let there be light

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Motto: Numen Lumen

Language: Latin

English Translation: God, our light (also: The divine within the universe, however manifested, is my light)

Yale University

Motto: Lux et veritas

Language: Latin

English Translation: Light and truth