Blog

As Southeastern Community College (SCC) celebrates 60 years of service in Columbus County and recognition as one of the nation’s top community colleges, it’s also unveiling a vibrant, cohesive campus rebranding. The Team at  Port City Signs & Graphics (PCS&G) is proud to have partnered with SCC in this project, which balances the college's history with a forward-thinking aesthetic to reflect its commitment to students, the workforce, and the community. This collaboration highlights PCS&G’s expertise in branding, technical precision, and commitment to exceeding client expectations.

A Strategic Vision for a Unified Campus Identity

With the appointment of Dr. Chris English as SCC’s president in 2020, the college embarked on a rebranding initiative to bolster its community presence. SCC sought a partner with a deep understanding of technical and design execution to bring this vision to life. We at PCS&G collaborated closely with Dr. English and his team to create cohesive signage and branding solutions that would unify the college’s identity across various platforms.

Preserving Tradition While Embracing Modernity:
The Chadbourn Bell Logo Redesign

A highlight of the rebranding was updating the iconic Chadbourn Bell logo—a symbol that holds significant historical value for the college. Our friends at Springer Studios led the design work for this new logo, thoughtfully balancing SCC’s history with a modern look. PCS&G then developed signage designs to feature the updated bell logo across banners, billboards, and digital displays. "Our goal was to ensure the new design not only honored SCC’s history but also captured attention with clean, modern lines,” said Carlos Perez, our design lead for the project at PCS&G. This approach has reinforced SCC’s identity while making the college’s brand easily recognizable across campus.

Enhanced Visibility with Custom, Durable Signage

Creating signage that could withstand the elements was crucial. We selected materials and pole banner shapes that enhance durability and visibility, particularly important in a large county like Columbus where SCC needs to make a visual impact across dispersed areas. Perez explained, “For high-traffic areas, we designed banners with top and bottom support to endure wind load, ensuring that the quality and visibility are maintained.”

Crafting a Bold New Look for SCC’s Ram Mascot

Springer Studios also redesigned SCC’s Ram mascot, giving it a bold and modern update with sharper lines and intensified colors. PCS&G worked to cohesively integrate this design into signage and vehicle wraps, allowing the new Ram logo to shine across athletic gear, campus signage, and marketing materials. Our skilled printing and color management ensured that the Ram’s revitalized image was conveyed in high detail, helping to enhance SCC’s brand recognition and visibility.

Bringing NASCAR-Inspired Vision to Life with
Mobile Lab Truck Graphics

One of the more unique elements of the project involved transforming SCC’s mobile lab trucks with a design reminiscent of NASCAR, a vision inspired by Dr. English’s background in the industry. We expedited design and implementation to complete the vinyl wraps in record time for our team, showcasing a “64” to honor SCC’s founding year and racing stripes that underscore the college’s commitment to innovation and excellence.

Supporting Workforce Development with Branded Assets

As part of SCC’s efforts to meet the growing demand for skilled trade professionals, our team members assisted with branding mobile training labs and satellite campuses. These visually engaging assets support SCC’s initiative to bring trade education to high school students, contributing to a significant enrollment increase in workforce development programs. With bold logos and distinct colors, we helped create a mobile presence that resonates with students and underscores the value of careers in the trades.

Strengthening Community Presence with Strategic Branding

Throughout the project, our team prioritized a collaborative approach with SCC to ensure every design, installation, and printed asset not only reflected the college’s brand but also reinforced its connection to Columbus County. The positive reception from the community highlights the success of this strategic partnership. We’re honored to play such a large part.

The Team at Port City Signs & Graphics is honored to have contributed to Southeastern Community College’s transformation, creating a lasting impression that aligns with the college’s goals for growth and innovation.