The mark consists of A round seal is imposed over a larger background shield which has eight (8) rounded points. Moving toward the center of the seal, there are two narrow circular bands, then a broader band with the words CARSON-NEWMAN UNIVERSITY circumscribed within the band. A cluster of oak leaves appears before and after the words "Carson-Newman," with each cluster having two oak leaves and a single acorn. Moving inward, the seal contains three more narrow bands. Inside the last band is a circle with a background of mountains and sky. At the top center of the inner circle is the word APPALACHIAN and below that is a flaming torch. The date 1851 appears in a rectangle just below the middle of the torch. Below the date is a banner with the word GOODNESS in block letters. To the left of the torch is a banner with the word TRUTH in block letters. To the right of the torch is a banner with the word BEAUTY in block letters.