A black rectangular item with a maroon arced scroll attached above and below, all edged with a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) maroon border, the overall dimensions are 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 9/16 inches (6.51 cm) in width; on the black rectangle a yellow eagle charged on its breast with a black cross; on the top scroll the inscription GANNON on the bottom scroll the inscription UNIVERSITY, all letters yellow, 5/16 inch (.79 cm) in height.
The colors are taken from the seal of the University. The eagle that of St. John the Evangelist for whom John, Bishop of Erie is named refers to the location of the school. The cross, a symbol of the Gannon Family of Ireland, alludes to the founder of the school.
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally authorized 19 July 1963. It was amended to change the name of the school and update the description and symbolism of the new design on 24 April 1980, currently amended to include a new manufactured drawing on 09 May 2014. (TIOH Drawing Number A-10S-223)