Commencement - Spring 2021

UniversitySymbols The UNIVERSITY MACE, used almost exclusively at commencement exercises or other formal, ceremo- nial functions, is a decorative version of the weapon of the same name used in the Middle Ages, and re- presents the authority of the university. The Kutztown University mace was designed by Stephen Culberson ’16, a crafts major, at the request of the KU Student Government Board, and was pre- sented to the president as a gift on behalf of all students. The mace is made of walnut from a tree that existed on Culberson’s grandfather’s farm. The lathe work was performed by Culberson. The date noted on the mace represents the year in which the university origi- nally received its charter and the year of the university’s Sesquicentennial celebration. The crowning element atop the mace is the “keystone,” which was used in the original Keystone State Normal School official seal. Since the inception of the university, the mace has traditionally been carried by a grand marshal at official university ceremonies. The honor of grand marshal is bestowed by the president, and usually is a tenured faculty member who has attained the greatest seniority. PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLIONS have served for centuries as re- membrances of specific events or to recognize meritorious service or conduct. Medallions have also been used and worn to indicate leader- ship and authority. The Kutztown University presidential medallion is worn by the university president with academic regalia at formal functions such as commencement. The medallion serves to identify the university president as the leader of a community of scholars. The design elements of the medallion incorporate recognition of achieving university status and display the commonwealth seal. On the chain supporting the medallion are the names of all who have served the institution as either principal or president. Additionally, all preceding names of the institution – Keystone State Normal School, Kutztown State Teachers College and Kutztown State College – as well as drawings of the university’s most historic buildings, are engraved.