University's mace gets a twin

Perhaps the most intriguing reminder of the ceremony's medieval roots is the mace, carried into Alumni Hall during the graduation procession.

Presented to the university in 1948 for its 70th anniversary, the mace displays a half sun - originally meant to depict the setting or "western" sun as a reference to Western's name. That meaning has evolved to symbolize a rising sun, an allusion to the expectations of Western grads.

Now, beginning next month, Western students attending graduation ceremonies in Hong Kong will be able to experience this same time-honoured tradition.

As a special gift from Western's alumni, a duplicate mace is being created for use in Hong Kong.

For some time, Western's University Machine Services (UMS) has been planning and working toward duplication of the original mace.

UMS manager Bob Stuart admits it was a highly unique request when Alumni Relations Director Gary Blazak approached him with the idea.

"We won't normally duplicate an antiquity," says Stuart, noting UMS is known for its general machining, welding and fabrication, and rapid prototyping. "We've done everything from medical devices to pump shafts, but this was a new request."

However, Stuart knew the unique skills of his staff would allow them to undertake the task. Now project leaders Doug Phillips and Kevin Barker are well on their way to creating a matching mace.

With Phillips programming the lathing components and Barker working on the more intricate embossing details, both are confident the mace will be in Hong Kong in time for graduation.

Just because it looks the same doesn't mean everything is identical. For example, the duplicate mace will weight four to five pounds, about double the original's weight.

"There are a number of pieces that will make up the mace," says Phillips. "I'd say about 50 or so separate pieces will be crafted into the final product. When it's done it's going to be hard to tell the two apart. "

Barker notes the original mace was hand-pounded from silver - explaining the lighter weight -- a job he suspects would have taken more than a month to complete. The duplicate will be made from brass and copper, then silver-plated.

"The Hong Kong Convocation ceremonies are very well done, but they've never had the experience of including the mace as part of the program," says Blazak, who is offering the mace as a gift from Alumni Relations.
Finding nowhere in Hong Kong able to handle the work, Blazak turned to Stuart with his proposal and was confident UMS would find a way to get the job done.

"With their abilities I knew they could do virtually anything," he says. "And with the process being done right on campus, it allows us to follow its progress."
For Stuart, it's one more unique item to add to the UMS 'done that' list.