WGTC Faculty and Student Create New Mace for Graduation

West Georgia Technical College instructors Jim Biagi, Jerry Gray, and Tim White along with student David Klehn designed a new mace to be unveiled at the graduation ceremony on December 16.

“I continue to be impressed with the skill and expertise shown by our students and faculty here at West Georgia Technical College,” said President Dr. Skip Sullivan. “A great deal of time and dedication went into the creation of the mace. I commend everyone who participated.”

The mace is a symbol of institutional authority and is carried in the commencement procession by two faculty marshals. The faculty marshals lead the procession followed by graduates, the stage party and then faculty. Jim Biagi, Industrial Mechanical Systems instructor and Karen Freeman, Early Childhood Care and Education Program Chair and instructor will be the faculty marshals for the December 16 ceremony.

The graduation committee, which is comprised of faculty representatives, staff, Vice President of Student Affairs and registrar, worked alongside Gray, a LaGrange Drafting instructor; Biagi, a Lagrange Industrial Systems instructor and White, a Carroll Machine Tool instructor on the design and production of the mace.  A rough draft design for the plan was created by Gray while Klehn, a LaGrange Electronics Technology student, was hired for the wood working. Brass and wood were obtained for the fabrication of the main staff and top spindle, leaving the top medallion to be fabricated by White.

The image on the medallion depicts a shield divided into four quadrants. Each quadrant has an image representing the four areas of the College—hands for business and public services, lamp of knowledge for health sciences, the micrometer for trade and technology and a text book for arts and sciences. The banner beneath the shield has the inscription of “Est. 1966.”

“It’s an honor to continue such a time honored tradition at our College,” said Dr. Sullivan. “Having our own faculty and students design and create such an important symbol just adds to the significance of the ceremony.”