1984 Yearbook
Source URL
Title
1984 Yearbook
Description
MACE SYMBOLIZES
AUTHORITY TO
CONFER DEGREES
St. Ambrose College began a tradition at its graduation ceremonies on May 13, 1984.
John J. Morrissey Sr., as the college's first commencement marshal, carried a mace that he designed
and handcrafted at the suggestion of Dr. William J. Bakrow, president of the college.
The mace symbolizes the authority of an institution to
confer degrees upon academically qualified candidates.
Commencement traditionally does not begin until the
mace is in position on the platform.
Its origin can be traced back to weapons or clubs carried in medieval times by guards, persons of high authority or officials of government. By the 14th Century, the
mace assumed a ceremonial rather than a practical
function.
In the tradition of maces, the 39-inch St. Ambrose
mace is designed to resemble a torch. It is carved from
Brazilian rosewood, decorated with carvings, and bears
the college seal.
Its top is capped with a three-quarter inch, 24-karat
gold acorn symbolizing the oak trees that have been
prominent on the Ambrose campus for more than a
century.
The four sides of the mace's solid-wood head feature
recessed slates depicting a chalice, crucifix, oak lead,
and the college seal. The slates were incised by Paul P.
Herrera, lecturer of art at the college and calligraphy
disciple of the late Father Edward Catich, internationally-known priest and artist.
Four inlaid sterling silver bars on the mace identify the
institution with the inscriptions "St. Ambrose — College
— Founded — 1882."
The solid wood handle bears the gold leaf letter "A"
carved on four sides.
The work is decorated with semi-precious stones
chosen by Morrissey for the quality of their cutting and
polishing. The stones include a green parrot-wing agate
from Mexico, a white plume agate from eastern Oregon,
a blue chrysocolla from Mexico, and a pink rhodonite
stone from Australia.
Seniors 155
AUTHORITY TO
CONFER DEGREES
St. Ambrose College began a tradition at its graduation ceremonies on May 13, 1984.
John J. Morrissey Sr., as the college's first commencement marshal, carried a mace that he designed
and handcrafted at the suggestion of Dr. William J. Bakrow, president of the college.
The mace symbolizes the authority of an institution to
confer degrees upon academically qualified candidates.
Commencement traditionally does not begin until the
mace is in position on the platform.
Its origin can be traced back to weapons or clubs carried in medieval times by guards, persons of high authority or officials of government. By the 14th Century, the
mace assumed a ceremonial rather than a practical
function.
In the tradition of maces, the 39-inch St. Ambrose
mace is designed to resemble a torch. It is carved from
Brazilian rosewood, decorated with carvings, and bears
the college seal.
Its top is capped with a three-quarter inch, 24-karat
gold acorn symbolizing the oak trees that have been
prominent on the Ambrose campus for more than a
century.
The four sides of the mace's solid-wood head feature
recessed slates depicting a chalice, crucifix, oak lead,
and the college seal. The slates were incised by Paul P.
Herrera, lecturer of art at the college and calligraphy
disciple of the late Father Edward Catich, internationally-known priest and artist.
Four inlaid sterling silver bars on the mace identify the
institution with the inscriptions "St. Ambrose — College
— Founded — 1882."
The solid wood handle bears the gold leaf letter "A"
carved on four sides.
The work is decorated with semi-precious stones
chosen by Morrissey for the quality of their cutting and
polishing. The stones include a green parrot-wing agate
from Mexico, a white plume agate from eastern Oregon,
a blue chrysocolla from Mexico, and a pink rhodonite
stone from Australia.
Seniors 155
Publisher
U.S. Yearbook Service, Des Moines, IA
Date
1984
Rights
St. Ambrose University, 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, IA 52803
Identifier
http://cdm16810.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16810coll2/id/6953