At the heart of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s story is the desire for connection, and as changes come in with the new semester, that desire hasn’t changed.

“Today (Monday) was an opportunity for us to launch some new brand information about kind of how we’re talking about the institution as well as a new logo as we refresh the UMD logo and the opportunity for us to really celebrate our position as part of the University of Minnesota. But also, the university of Minnesota in Duluth and part of Duluth and really celebrating that connection we have to the university as well as that connection we have to the surrounding community,” said Charles Nies, UMD’s newest Chancellor.

The bond between the college and community, along with telling the stories of Duluth, remains at the forefront of Nies’ mind as he begins his first year at UMD.

“That’s a really big part of our identity, that connection and that commitment to not just the campus and each other on campus, but also to the community and to the environment and the natural habitat that surrounds Duluth. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the country. Why not celebrate it? Why not tell that story? And why not help our new scholars that are joining the campus become connected to that and become a part of that,” said Nies.

UMD hopes to welcome students to both the area and into the community – even if it’s only for their college years.

“The more we can help them feel connected to Duluth and everything that it has to offer, I think that that helps with that sense of belonging,” said Nies.