University of Mary Washington - Index

University of Mary Washington - summer08 - Index

Photos by Reza A. Marvashti
Washington. And, believe me, that is a lot of days since 1952.”
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine commended UMW for being a
leader in higher education in Virginia, and he said it all started
with “a little spark 100 years ago.”
The spark plug back in 1908 was Delegate O’Conor
Goolrick, who pushed through the legislation that created
UMW’s first incarnation, the Fredericksburg State Normal and
Industrial School for Women. In 2008, Goolrick’s descendants
filled several rows at the Convocation Ceremony, and his
grandson, Fredericksburg attorney O’Conor Goolrick Ashby,
presented the University with the sterling silver loving cup
that had originally been given to Goolrick in 1909 by the
school’s first president, Edward H. Russell, at the cornerstonelaying
for the first building.
When Ashby read aloud the cup’s biblical inscription, “Well
done, good and faithful servant,” a standing ovation erupted
and a number of eyes misted.
Above: Catherine O’Conor Ashby
(left) and Elizabeth Claiborne
Ashby (right), descendants of
Delegate O’Conor Goolrick, who
pushed through the legislation
creating the Fredericksburg State
Normal and Industrial School for
Women (UMW’s first incarnation),
cut the cake in the Trinkle Hall
rotunda in celebration of the
University’s 100th birthday.
At right: From right to left,
Marshal of the Faculty Stephen
P. Stageberg, carrying UMW's
newly designed mace, along with
O'Conor Goolrick Ashby, former
Alumni Association President
Barbara Burton Micou '69, and
Interim Dean Rosemary Barra,
participate in the Centennial
Celebration.
A-mace-ing���������
Since its first use during Commencement nearly
40 years ago, the purpose of the Mary Washington
mace – to signify the authority of the University’s
president – has remained the same. The instrument’s
appearance, however, has changed dramatically.
Only the tip of the handle of a speciallycommissioned
mace, carried for the first time during
the Centennial Founders Day Convocation in March,
was emblematic of the original.
Associate Professor of Economics Stephen Stageberg
carried the newly redesigned mace for the first time at
the Centennial Founders Day Convocation.
The made-over mace, designed and handcrafted
by British-registered goldsmith Susannah Wagner
Merritt of Ashland, Va., is laden with embellishments
that are symbolic of Mary Washington. The piece
includes lapis stones that represent the school
color, a herringbone design that depicts the pattern
of the bricks along Campus Walk, and dogwood
blossoms that symbolize the state tree of Virginia.
In addition, acorns and oak leaves, along with the
mace’s wooden handle, call to mind the stately and
celebrated Brompton Oak. The six names of the
school, before it became a university in 2004, are
etched into the instrument’s half dozen prongs,
which in turn, are decorated with a lapis disc that is
engraved with the University seal.
An offspring of the ancient royal scepter, a symbol
of leadership and authority, and the battle mace, a
weapon and staff of command, the academic mace
was born in the late 14th century. The marshal of the
faculty carries it on behalf of the president during
specific public events at Mary Washington.
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON MAGAZINE��������������� �
Reza A. Marvashti
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