Having made so many academic maces for colleges, universities, prep schools, and one fraternity foundation, it seemed fitting to make one for my own university. But did they have one already? An e-mail to Kansas State brought a response from Chuck Reagan, Assistant to the President, that K-State had no mace but perhaps should. That started the usual mace-making process in July 2008. I had figured on completing the mace for graduation in May 2009 but was asked to delay the completion so the mace could be first used for the inauguration of the new university president in September 2009.
This mace features maple and purpleheart, representing the K-State colors of purple and white. It has the university medallion embedded in the front of the ball at the top and various rings, flutes, and other features which each represent some aspect of the mission, vision, or history of the university.
Having been chosen by so many schools to make academic maces for them, a very special honor in each case, it seemed only fitting that I should offer one to my own university at no cost. And then, on October 16th, I had the opportunity to visit Kansas State and the office of the president where the mace is displayed, to meet Chuck Reagan, and to talk more about this special mace for my own university. Thanks, K-State, for letting me do something like this for you.