Emblem & Motto

Emblem

The emblem of the college is a graphic representation of its philosophy. The hand at the top of the emblem has three fingers raised in blessing. The anchor signifies firmness, something on which to rely in times of turbulence. The upper part of the anchor takes the form of a cross.

The Latin motto, ‘In hoc signo‘, is traced to an important event in the life of Constantine the Great (AD 274-337), the first Christian emperor of Rome. Before an important battle, he saw a cross shining in the sky, and the words: “in hoc signo vinces…” with this on your banner, you will win!. The college centres its very existence on this promise. 

Motto of the College

They are slaves who dare not be in the right with two or three (from the following great poem of James Russell Lowell)

Excerpt from STANZAS ON FREEDOM

James Russell Lowell

 

Man! Whose boast it is that ye come of fathers brave and free,

If there breathe on earth a slave,

Are ye truly free and brave?

If ye do not feel the chain,

When it works a brother’s pain,

Are ye not base slaves indeed, Slaves unworthy to be freed?

Women! Who shall one day bear

Sons to breathe New England (Indian?) air,

if ye hear, without blush,

 

Deeds to make the roused blood rush

like red lava through your veins,

For your sisters now in chains– Answer!

Are ye fit to be Mother of the brave and free?

Is true freedom but to break

Fetters for our own dear sake,

And, with leathern hearts, forget

That we owe mankind a debt?

No! True freedom is to share

All the chains our brothers wear,

And, with heart and hand, to be

Earnest to make others free!

They are slaves who fear to speak

For the fallen and the weak;

They are slaves who will not choose

Hatred, scoffing, and abuse,

Rather than in silence shrink

From the truth they needs must think;

They are slaves who dare not be

In the right with two or three.