Maritime education at Northwestern University began in 1993 under the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT), with an initial enrollment of 320 students. Following its growth and development, it became an independent college in 1995, known as the College of Maritime Education (COME), with two departments: Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering.

On April 8 and June 26, 1996, respectively, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized the Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) and Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) programs. In 1998, the college received a rating of "Substantial Compliance" from maritime education assessors in accordance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards, marking another milestone in its development.

A New Identity, Rooted in History

Building on its legacy of maritime education, the College of Maritime Education continues to honor its beginnings while embracing a renewed identity. Its updated logo reflects this journey, bringing together the university's brand identity, the college's maritime heritage, and its vision for the future.

The new emblem incorporates the mariner blue associated with COME, the shield shaped after a ship's bow, and the anchor and propeller representing its Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering programs, respectively. The year 1995 marks the college's establishment as an independent academic unit, while the innovation orange reflects its roots under the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology (CEAT), where maritime education began in 1993.

The transition from the old logo to the new emblem is more than a visual change. It represents the college's growth, honors the milestones that shaped its history, and reaffirms its continuing commitment to maritime education and excellence.

From its beginnings in 1993 to its renewed identity in 2026, COME remains grounded in its heritage while navigating new horizons.

Honoring the past. Shaping the present. Navigating the future.