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The Mace of Authority
The Mace of Authority -- also known as the President's Mace -- began
a journey across Texas on Tuesday, September 15, to kick off a three-week
celebration of the 115th birthday of The University of Texas at Austin,
UTexas@115. It will end its journey on October 6 when it will be
presented to the President Larry R. Faulkner as a part of the celebratory
activities. (Schedule of the Route of the Mace
of Authority)
A ceremonial mace is a staff symbolizing authority. UT possesses more
than 40 processional maces that are carried at ceremonial occasions of
the institution, such as Commencement and Honors Day. These maces were
crafted by Professor Carl Eckhart, some using wood from the original Old
Main building. The University maces are on permanent display on the first
floor of the Flawn Academic Center.
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The Mace of Authority represents the authority vested by the state of Texas through
the UT System Board of Regents to the administrative officers of the University
of Texas. The gavel surmounting the mace is a symbol of leadership, the Fleur-de-Lis
evokes the light of learning, and the cornucopia signifies the abundance of knowledge
associated with the institution.
During the next three weeks, the Mace of Authority will travel around campus
and to four other UT Austin entities located in the north, south, east and west
areas of Texas. The mace will be transported by undergraduate and graduate students,
faculty members, alumni groups, staff members and campus leaders. On Oct. 6th,
the University community will come together for a special anniversary UT convocation
(1:30 p.m.) and symposium (4:30 p.m.). These events are open to the public.
At the 4:30 p.m. convocation, the mace will be presented to President Larry
R. Faulkner to symbolize his office and to signify his responsibilities to UT
Austin and to the state of Texas.
Three people will carry the mace to its first destination -- the UT Alumni
Center. They are Dr. Betty Sue Flowers, representing the faculty; Eduardo Ibarra,
representing the UT staff; and Dee Campanella, representing the UT student body.
Updated 28 September 1998
Comments to: dbuggie@mail.utexas.edu
