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Potomac State College of West Virginia University Academic Mace
The Mace
Having its origins in the Middle Ages, the mace, a large wooden staff or club, was utilized as a weapon by
royal bodyguards to protect kings during processions. Today it is a ceremonial staff used by colleges and
universities tolead the academic procession at commencement and other special ceremonial events.
Traditionally, amarshal at the head of the procession carries the mace.

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The Academic Mace symbolizes authority and scholarship, as well asthe history and traditions of the
institution. Itsignifies the confirmation of the academic process, along with the opening and closing of the
ceremony by its placement and removal from a designated place of honor.
The Potomac State Academic Mace
The Potomac State College Academic Mace is a custom design fabricated bythe Northwest Territorial
Mint-Medallic Art Company of Dayton, Nevada. Each component of the mace symbolizes an aspect of the
college's history and heritage.
The head and staff of the mace are comprised of oak. Oak was chosen because of its association with
strength, courage, and endurance. The mighty oak stands strong through all things. This symbolizes the
institution's ability torise up from the tragic 1917 fire, which completely destroyed the WestVirginia
Preparatory School, and survive to become the Potomac State School in1921. Potomac State has two
large black oaks that are probably the oldesttrees on campus. The oak in front of the Science Hall is also
believed tobe the largest on University property.
The head of the mace is encircled by four three inch diameter gold-plated bronze medallions. The
medallion facing forward is the official seal of Potomac State College of WestVirginiaUniversity. Tothe
right isthe "Flying WV", official logoof WestVirginia University, representing the school's long affiliation
with WVU. To the left is the "WVP" logo, representing the college's beginnings as the KeyserPreparatory
Branch of West VirginiaUniversity. On the backis the first official seal of the Potomac State School,
designed by a student i n 1925.
The head and the staff of the mace are accented with gold-plated brass bands engraved with
Rhododendron flowers and leaves. The Rhododendron isWestVirginia's state flower. The flowers
and leaves are of the same design as is depicted on the 1925 Potomac State School seal. They
symbolize more than a century of service and commitment to the state of WestVirginia.
The top of the staff has two gold-plated brass bands, positioned together, engraved with the names of the
school's founders: Colonel Thomas B.Davis and Judge Francis M. Reynolds. Colonel Davis donated the
property on which the school building was constructed and Judge Reynolds drafted and presented the
legislation establishing the Keyser Preparatory Branch of WestVirginia University in1901.
Just under the two brass bands engraved with the namesof the founders are attached gold cords with
tassels and navy blue ribbons. The tassels and ribbons in the school colors represent pride, spirit, and
loyalty to our Alma Mater.
Near the center of the staff isa large gold-plated brass band engraved with the firstline of text on
Potomac State's historical marker - "Potomac State College- Chartered February 15, 1901as the Keyser
Preparatory Branch of West VirginiaUniversity''. The historical marker is located on the campus at the
comer of State Street and Route 220.
Encased in a special metal lined compartment in thehead of themace is a plastic tube containing the following items:
A piece of coal and coke retrieved from the former site of the coking ovens of the Davis Coal and Coke
Company located near Thomas, West Virginia. The operation of this company not only provided jobsfor
many West Virginians, butthe profits made it possible for Colonel Davisto give many generous donations
to the school, thus providing exceptional educational opportunities to the area's youth.

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A piece of original buff brick from the Preparatory School Building. This building,aredbrickstructure with
a stone foundationandslate roof, was massive and impressive. Leading upto the main entrance was a
large porch, which was enclosed except for five huge stone arches. Arising from the center of the porch
was an imposing tower, designed toaccommodate a bell and huge four sided clock (donated byCol.
Davis). At the time of its construction, it was considered one of the handsomest and most complete
school buildings inthe state.
A donated piece of charred wood, believed to be part of the burned out structure of the Prep
School Building, found during the construction of the connector between the Administration
Building and Academy Hall. The fire, which occurred in May of 1917, totally gutted and destroyed the
building.
A piece of red brick from the AdministrationBuilding. This building, built on the former site of the
Preparatory School, was made possible through the determined efforts of Principal Joseph W.Stayman
and his staff,Judge Francis M. Reynolds, and the citizens of the City of Keyser, who refused to allow the
school to be closed because the main building had burned down. Completed in 1919, the Administration
Building assured everyone that the school would have a future.
An acorn from the massive oak tree in front of Science Hall. Acorns are a symbol of luck, prosperity, and
growth. This represents Potomac State's ability toface adversity through the years with strength and
courage, while always providing generations of students with the tools to unlock their unlimited
potential.
Sitting atop the head of the mace, is a crouching wooden Catamount on an ornate platform. The
Catamount (or mountain lion) has been the official college mascotsince 1929. The cat statue was
designed, hand carved and installed on the mace by local artisan, Dr.John R. Garton, owner of Garton
Originals in Petersburg, WestVirginia. He describes the carving as, "The resourceful Catamount ascends the
summit of opportunity and surveys, with confidence, a future shaped by the students of Potomac State."
The PSC Mace Project Design Team
Terry G. Falkowski
Patricia S. McGuire
Patty Lee
Leonard A. Colelli
Henry S. Falkowski
John R. Garton
Kathy Ludwick
Patricia Harman
JoAnn S.Harman
Northwest Territorial Mi n t-Medallic Art Company
Dayton, Nevada