The Delaware State University Mace

The countdown to commencement is running with just ten days to go until we recognize the class of 2019. Also, shout out to the DSC class of 1969 who will be commemorating the 50 years since their graduation! 

At this moment the university is preparing the grounds, and we, the faculty, are pulling our regalia out of the closets. Among the heraldry being "spiffed up" is the university's academic mace (pictured above in 1986). 

The tradition of a ceremonial mace dates to the middle ages when the processional of a sovereign or high official would be marked by a proceeding mace-bearer. Today maces are most commonly seen in government and academic institutions.  The United States House of Representatives, for example, has a highly symbolic mace of 13 ebony rods held together by silver strands and is topped by a globus and eagle. 

Delaware State University's mace is simplistic in appearance but contains much symbolism.  It was designed and constructed in 1963 by John McCollough, an assistant professor of art education. It is reminiscent of traditional English ceremonial maces from the 14th century.  It is composted of a crowned globus to signify royal authority.  The mace is constructed from silver and wood from seven continents - ebony from Africa, lace wood from Australia, rosewood from Africa and India, mahogany from the Philippines, pear wood from Switzerland, lignum vitae from South American and walnut from North America.  The globus, or sphere represents the universe and the roles of art and science within it. The globus has a second meaning in that it is also meant to be symbolic of an atom.  The silver crown, shaped like a star at the top of the globus represents the increasing significance of the space and technology age (the mace was made in 1963 when NASA was only five years old). 

The mace was formerly carried by Dr. Ulyssess S. Washington who served as the university's grand marshal from 1953 until 2004. Thereafter, the title and the honor of bearing the mace was bestowed on Dr. Mable Renee Morrison, associate professor of music.  Dr. Morrison has been a highly respected faculty member for 57 years. On May 11, 2019 she will again lead the commencement processional just ahead of President Wilma Mishoe. 

President Wilma Mishoe holds the mace on the occasion of her investiture ceremony on December 8, 2018. 

The mace at the 1969 commencement. 
Congratulations to the class of 1969 on your golden anniversary. 

Happy National Library Week! April 7-13, 2019

Hello Friends! It's National Library Week! This year the American Library Association has chosen a theme of Libraries = Stronger Communities.  As ALA says, "Libraries are at the heart of our cities, towns, schools and campuses, providing critical resources, programs and expertise. They also provide a public space where all community members, regardless of age, culture or income level, can come together to connect and learn." Here at Delaware State University the William C. Jason Library is both the physical and intellectual intersection of campus. We are a link between science and art, social and academic, faculty and student, campus and community. We strive to serve all and we are proud to be your librarians.

In honor of Library week I thought we would take look at the history of the library and it's namesake:

The William C. Jason Library is named in honor of Delaware State University's longest serving president. President Jason's tenure, from 1895 to 1923, was punctuated by expansive growth of both the student body and campus infrastructure.  His achievement is fully appreciated with the recognition that, despite being a public school, financial support from Delaware State was initially insufficient.

In 1902 the Board of trustees approved President Jason's request to public ally raise $1,000 for campus improvements.  The president's fundraising efforts took the form of a speaking tour that resulted in 700 pledges largely received from the African American community.  While the pledges totaled $1,112, regrettably, only $533 was received.

The money was frugally applied to the construction of a chapel (left).  In lieu of hiring laborers, the professors of the industrial arts program developed courses around the chapel's construction. Additionally, bricks from the slave quarters of the Loockerman plantation were recycled to lessen the cost of materials.

By the 1920's the perpetual pattern of college-wide growth required the chapel to be converted into a library.  Further growth resulted in the construction of the current library in 1975 with an addition in 1991 (below). The early chapel structure, now known as the Thomasson Building, remains today and can be found at the end of the campus mall.

The expansion of the current William C. Jason Library in 1991.