Red Oak Hollow

Antioch University Southern California just barely got their academic mace in time for the 2006 graduation. Chris Wolfe, Manager of Alumni and Donor Relations at the Southern California campus of Antioch University, sent an e-mail inquiry on 19 April 06 about the possibility of having a new mace in hand by graduation eight weeks later. That e-mail triggered a flurry of e-mail messages plus several overnight mailings, but the mace was delivered two days ahead of their target date.

The most critical aspect of mace-making is design. Chris had a Commencement Team up and running in preparation for the 2006 commencement so they just added "mace design" to their list of Things to Do, and it worked. They provided me with the elements of university history, mission, and goals which I then used to develop a design similar to the two other academic maces which I have made for other colleges (see other articles here for those stories). I made a full-size drawing of the proposed design and over-nighted it to Chris to share with his committee. The president of the university decided that the material of the mace should be redwood, native to California. And then, to honor one of their retiring professors, they asked if a metal band could

be included which could be later engraved. In the time available, a metal band proved too difficult to do, so a band of walnut was substituted. I made the walnut ring, over-nighted it to Chris, who got it laser-engraved, and then over-nighted it back to me. I was then able to fully assemble the final product, after giving it many coats of varnish and buffing it all out.

The walnut ring was engraved thus: "In Honor of Sara K. Winter, Ph.D., Distinguished Member of the Antioch Family, From 1977 - 2006" Congratulations to you, Dr. Winter, for being such a valued member of the faculty that you were chosen to be honored in such a manner.

The symbology of the mace is as follows: The finial on the top recognizes the Integration of Theory and Practice in pointing the Way to the Future. The large ball near the top holds the 4" brass medallion of the university. The large ring just below the ball symbolizes Social Justice and the three rings below that symbolize the Individual, the Community, and the World. It is between that large ring and the group of three where

the engraved walnut band honoring Dr. Winter is placed. Near the top of the main shaft of the mace is another large ring, divided into two halves recognizing the integration of Progressive and Innovative Education. The five smaller rings which are integral to the shaft of the mace represent the five campuses of Antioch University while the increasing diameter of the shaft itself as it goes upward toward the medallion symbolizes Increasing Excellence in Education by the Antioch University faculty and staff.

Of interest is that this mace request was accompanied by a request for a mini-mace, or "macette," besides the full sized one. The mini is about 12" long and can be seen in this photo compared to the big one.

Fortunately, I was able to integrate the engraved walnut ring into the overall mace and get it all varnished, buffed, and mailed to Antioch University in time for graduation and especially to honor Dr. Winter. I am hoping that someone at Antioch University will send a picture of their new mace being carried in graduation or perhaps held by Dr. Winter so that I may include it in this article.

As always, it was a great pleasure to make this symbol for Antioch University. In spite of the short time available, Chris Wolfe and I were able to easily coordinate all the elements and bring the project to a successful conclusion on time. This is something they will keep and cherish for many years to come.

If you represent a college or university seeking an academic mace for your institution, please consider having me do it for you. The three I have done, for Antioch University, the University of California Hastings College of the Law, and Patrick Henry College, are all similar in design, but each with their own design reflecting their own elements of history, mission, and so forth. You may easily contact me by e-mail or telephone, as noted under Contact with Red Oak Hollow...