The University Seal
The official seal of Gwynedd Mercy University bears the University ’ s name and location , date of founding , coat of arms and motto .
The left side of the University shield contains symbols of the Sisters of Mercy who came to Philadelphia in 1861 and founded Gwynedd Mercy Junior College in 1948 . It depicts four red stripes on a gold shield surmounted by a white cross . In 1831 , Catherine McAuley , foundress of the Sisters of Mercy , officially adopted this shield from the Order of Mercy , a 13th century order of monks devoted to the care of the sick in hospitals .
The right side of the shield bears symbols reflecting the University . The upper right field contains the Griffin , the Celtic mythical creature that acknowledges the Welsh ancestry of Gwynedd Valley . In English armory , a Griffin has the foreparts of an eagle and the hind parts of a lion with each body part having special significance – the ears , signifying attention ; the wings , celerity of execution ; the lion-like shape , courage ; the hooked bill , perseverance and tenacity . In folklore , the Griffin is envisioned as a creature of enormous strength and vigor and an emblem of valor and magnanimity ; the Griffin is also acknowledged as the guardian of hidden treasure .
In the right center are three roundels taken from the coat-of-arms of William Penn , which acknowledges the University ’ s location in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania . These three roundels symbolize Byzantine coins denoting an ancestor of Penn who was involved in the Crusades . In the lower right field , the lamp of learning represents the passing of knowledge from one generation to another .
The gold crown of the House of Aragon ( rulers in medieval Spain during the Crusades when the Order of Mercy was founded in 1216 ) sits atop the shield of honor and protects the followers of Mercy . Below the shield , the Latin motto “ Veritas et Misericordia ” is translated as “ Truth and Mercy .” The entire University community is called to embrace Truth and Mercy .