A&T Honors Legacy of Class of 1961 with University Mace Retirement

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Dec. 18, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University celebrated a milestone in institutional history during a ceremony in F. D. Bluford Library, formally retiring the university mace that has served as a ceremonial symbol for more than three decades.

The event, “Passing the Torch,” recognized the Class of 1961 for its vision and leadership in creating and gifting the mace, which has stood at the center of academic traditions since 1991.

The program featured remarks from Crystal W. Boyce ‘07 ‘15, associate vice chancellor for Alumni Relations; James R. Stewart Jr. ‘08, Bluford Library archivist; Catherine Edmonds ‘92, Ed.D., interim provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic Affairs; Lewis Brandon, Class of 1961 coordinator; and Vicki Coleman, dean of Library Services. Alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members gathered to reflect on the mace’s significance and its enduring place in the university’s ceremonial life.

The university mace traces its origins to ancient Rome, where similar objects honored heroes and marked authority. During the reign of King James I, ceremonial maces became symbols of academic and governmental power in England. Universities around the world eventually adopted the mace as a representation of scholarly community and institutional authority.

North Carolina A&T’s mace, presented Oct. 24, 1991 during the university’s centennial celebration, continues that tradition. Standing 42 inches tall, it is constructed with alternating ebony and ivory rings that honor African American heritage. The mahogany shaft is engraved with imagery representing the full scope of the university’s mission and achievements. This includes depictions of the A&T Four sit-in, academic disciplines, athletics, the Aggie mascot and other defining elements of the university’s identity.

The mace’s crowning feature is a two-faced sterling silver head that displays the seals of both A&T and the University of North Carolina. The base is fitted with a silver-plated cup engraved with a runner, symbolizing forward progress and the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

The Class of 1961 played a transformative role in developing the mace. Members undertook extensive historical research to ensure every symbol carved into the piece reflected the breadth of the university’s legacy. The committee worked with Emblem and Badge Inc. of Providence, Rhode Island, to bring the design to life.

Committee contributors included several distinguished members of the class:
Vallie Guthrie, Ph.D., Dorothy Alston, Ph.D., Sullivan Welborne, Ed.D., William C. Parker, Ed.D., Basil Coley, PhD., Dorothy J. Richmond, Lewis Brandon III and Earnest Sherrod. Their combined efforts resulted in a ceremonial artifact that continues to represent the values and achievements of generations of Aggies.

During the event, alumni shared personal memories tied to the creation of the mace. Burnon Johnson of the Class of 1994 spoke about his father, Walter Johnson Sr., who was instrumental in advocating for the mace and proudly celebrated its first ceremonial use during the 1991 commencement.

“My father always believed that A&T deserved every honor befitting a premier university,” said Johnson. “He pushed for this mace because he believed it symbolized the excellence of the institution he loved. When it was first carried at my brother’s graduation, you could see how much pride he felt.”

Class of 1961 coordinator Brandon reflected on the social and historical context that shaped the class. Many graduates were actively involved in the civil rights movement, including the sit-ins that changed the course of American history. He noted that the sense of purpose his classmates carried into adulthood was reflected in the creation of the mace.

“We came from communities shaped by Jim Crow, yet we arrived at A&T determined to make a difference,” he said. “What we created was a work of love. The mace represents who we were, what we believed in, and what we wanted future generations of Aggies to inherit.”

Stewart detailed the mace’s presence during some of the university’s most significant moments. From its introduction during the centennial celebration to its use in commencements, convocations, and major institutional events, the mace became a central part of university tradition.

“This mace has been a witness to the evolution of North Carolina A&T,” he said. “It stood present when the university awarded its first doctoral degrees, when we rose to the status of doctoral research intensive, and as we continue our pursuit of Research 1 classification. It has been carried proudly by leaders who shaped the trajectory of this institution. Although it is being retired from ceremonial use, its legacy continues.”

Stewart also reflected on the mace’s appearances at events featuring national figures including Michelle Obama, James Earl Jones and Laila Ali. He emphasized that the mace not only reflects university history but also inspires students to recognize their role in continuing that legacy.

As a student, Edmonds walked behind the mace during commencement, unaware that she would one day help oversee its ceremonial retirement in her current role.

“This moment is deeply meaningful for me,” she said. “The mace guided me and many others as we stepped into our futures. Today we honor not only its history, but the generations of Aggies whose journeys it has accompanied. Its retirement allows us to preserve its story and honor the class that gifted it with such intention.”

Though the ceremony marks the end of the mace’s role in university processions, Coleman said the artifact will remain an active part of institutional memory.

“We will take great care of this mace as it enters the archives,” she said. “It will be preserved, protected and displayed in a way that allows all who visit to appreciate its craftsmanship and historical importance. Nothing in the archives is ever truly retired. It continues to teach, inspire, and connect us to our past.”

Coleman invited attendees to the second floor of Bluford Library to view the mace’s new permanent display, situated near Special Collections and the university’s centennial landmarks in a reflective environment where students and visitors can learn about the creation and meaning of the mace.

The exhibit includes curated photographs, archival images from university yearbooks and explanatory materials that highlight the symbolism crafted into the mace. More elements will be added over time as historical materials are sourced.

The ceremony closed with a reminder that the Class of 1961 has contributed far more than a ceremonial object. Many members went on to break barriers in education, the military, public service and academia. Their influence remains visible across the university and in communities beyond East Greensboro. As one attendee noted, “History lives on.”