Hundreds of students – mainly freshmen, according to a impromptu poll by University President Steven Knapp as he addressed the crowd – packed into the Grand Ballroom Sunday to watch the University unveil a long-awaited new logo.

The first 700 students to arrive snagged seats in the overcrowded room, while hundreds more mobbed the lobby and third floor terrace.

At about 8 p.m., three versions of the new logo splashed across the top of a pixelated screen, revealing it publicly for the first time.

The audience paused, holding back reaction. Students’ hesitation seemed to indicate a question rippling through the room: “Is that it?”

Four speakers, including Vice President of External Relations Lorraine Voles, introduced the design, calling it a shame that more students could not fit into the room. The launch event was moved to the ballroom – which Voles said was the largest space available –  earlier that day due to rain.

She said the University planned to provide food for about 300 people, but just minutes after the doors opened, the 700-person ballroom filled to capacity. She estimated about 800 people showed up.

University Police Department officers filtered into the Marvin Center as the crowd grew, making sure the event kept up with emergency codes.

Voles called the student reaction to the new logo positive.

“Free food, free t-shirts and a movie,” she said. “They loved it.”

As students got up from their seats and wrangled their way over to a table of empanadas, Cap Mac and tater tots, the reviews began.

“I don’t really find it that revolutionary,” said freshman Katie Cann, while another freshman attendee, Ellie Davis, said, “For the hype, it really isn’t worth it.”

What do you think of the new logo? Tell us in the comments.

– Julie Alderman, Kierran Petersen and Chloe Sorvino contributed to this report.