University of New Mexico – Gallup

THE CHALLENGE

A Rugged Site. A Refreshed Identity.

The sign’s roadside location presented a practical engineering challenge. A roadway and deep arroyo separated it from campus buildings, while rocky soil and rugged, semi-arid terrain required careful planning for the foundation, electrical service, and data connections.

At the same time, the design needed to respect the Gallup Campus’s architecture while introducing UNM’s refreshed letter mark. The university wanted a stronger shared identity across campuses, consistent messaging, compatibility with its existing software, and a reliable long-term warranty.

THE FEDERAL HEATH APPROACH

One Connected Campus Signage Solution

Federal Heath worked closely with UNM’s architecture, project, and facilities teams to balance the university letter mark, university name, campus name, digital display, overall sign shape, and structural integrity. Project managers coordinated the foundation solution around the site’s demanding ground conditions.

Connecting the display was equally important. Our digital sign specialists worked with UNM’s IT department to establish compatibility with the university’s existing software. Electrical and data cabling also had to pass through rocky ground, making coordination between the physical sign and its communications infrastructure essential.

A Welcome Sign That Works Day and Night

Standing nearly 25 feet tall on a sturdy 10-by-10-foot base, the completed sign creates a prominent point of campus identification. Illuminated channel letters identify the university at night on a cross-shaped aluminum cabinet, while the bright 17-by-6-foot digital display brings changing information to the roadside.

UNM can use the display to share events, registration information, courses, and emergency notices when needed. Centralized control links local visibility to the university’s broader communications system, helping the remote campus present a consistent brand.

The result brings together campus architecture, updated university branding, dependable structural support, and flexible digital messaging. It shows how education signage can serve both as a recognizable landmark and as a practical communication tool for a connected campus community.