April 5, 2019—The St. Joseph Woodworkers Guild and Dave Takes of Expressions Engraved will present a new ceremonial mace and stand to Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western State University’s president, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 10 in the Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public.
The mace is carried in the processional and recessional and placed on stage at Commencement and other ceremonial events. The original mace, which was donated by alumnus Dr. Joe Friedman when Missouri Western achieved university status in 2005, was stolen last May and has not been recovered. Dr. Vartabedian asked Takes if he knew of a vendor that could create a replacement, and Takes asked the woodworkers group if they would take on the project.
The mace is made of local walnut with brass and ebony rings and stands approximately 3 feet tall. Takes provided four gold medallions to circle the top of the mace. On stage, the mace will rest in a new custom stand made with walnut and spalted hackberry, decorated with brass strips and a medallion.
The new mace will be used for the first time at the Spring Commencement ceremony May 4.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.