Three student members of the University of Michigan community have been selected as the winners of the U.S. at 250 Sticker Design Contest, a creative project inviting students to help mark the nation's 250th anniversary.
Their designs will become the official U.S. at 250 sticker set for the U-M U.S. at 250 programming and will be distributed at events across campus and beyond throughout 2026. The stickers will serve as small but visible reminders of the university's role in reflecting on the past and engaging the future of American democracy.
The contest invited students to submit original artwork interpreting themes of civic participation, shared history, and the ongoing work of democracy. Organizers received submissions from across campus, showcasing a wide range of creative approaches—from bold graphic illustrations to designs inspired by historical symbols and civic ideals.
The U.S. at 250 Student Board evaluated the entries based on creativity, clarity of design, and how effectively each piece captured the spirit of the U.S. at 250 initiative. From this group, three designs were selected to form the official sticker set.
The Winning Designs
First Place
Cole J. Dorman, Space Science PHD
"First University Building on Flag Motif"
This entry pays homage to the University's rich history for the U.S. at 250. The 17 stripes on the flag represent the University's first building, erected that same year and illustrated with 13 windows to represent the original 13 stars and stripes of the American flag. Simple and elegant, the University grew alongside American democracy and now educates students across the nation (never forgetting Alaska and Hawaii), creating the Michigan community.
Runner's Up
Mia Echlin, Pre-Law
"By the squirrels, for the squirrels."
When reflecting on the great intertwined history of the University of Michigan within American democracy, I think of the essential practices of connectivity, togetherness, and mutual respect found in every period of growth in the US. On the other hand, I couldn't comprehend a clear picture of the Michigan community without conjuring an image of the beloved network of iconic squirrels. Day to day, rain or shine, I witness students of different studies, origins, and beliefs find tiny moments of their day to share a smile with a stranger as they crouch across a round-bellied squirrel. With the towering tophat of Uncle Sam crowning a Diag Squirrel– a dear symbol of how both Michigan students and American citizens are able to connect– I hope to present an image that promotes the roots of camaraderie and understanding found within American democracy.
Ashini Shah, Biostatistics
"Tree of life: Reaching Hands."
This design is inspired by the Tree of Life, a symbol of unity, growth, and connection. The canopy is formed by hands reaching toward democratic ideals, while the roots ground us in an honest understanding of our history. With mixed feelings about national celebration, I moved away from a traditional patriotic palette to instead highlight values like democracy, equity, and community. The multicolored hands speak to the strength found in diversity and the importance of every voice. This sticker is both a celebration of progress and a call to reflection, a reminder that our journey is ongoing and that building a more just and inclusive society is something we shape together.
A Creative Part of U-M's U.S. at 250 Initiative
The U.S. at 250 sticker set will debut at university events throughout 2026 as the campus marks the nation's 250th anniversary. Distributed at programs and gatherings across the university, the designs offer a simple way for members of the community to take part in the commemoration and share in the milestone.
As the stickers circulate across campus, they will serve as small reminders of the conversations, ideas, and perspectives shaping U-M's U.S. at 250 initiative. Together, the designs reflect the creativity of the university community and its ongoing engagement with the history and future of American democracy.
Each winning design was created as original artwork, in keeping with the contest's guidelines requiring submissions to be independently produced and free from AI-generated imagery.
