In 1950, Carleton began the process of developing a crest and motto, as was tradition with other institutions of higher learning. James Gibson, chair of the Committee on Symbols and Ceremonials, initially proposed a Latin motto, ""Opera nobis aeterna"" derived from the Walt Whitman poem Pioneers! O Pioneers!, a translation of the phrase "We take up the task eternal". The Board of Governors rejected the Latin motto as it was perceived as too pretentious for an institution focused on egalitarianism, leading to Carleton's current motto, "Ours the task eternal". In October 1951, the Board of Governors formally adopted the new crest and motto.