The College Mace

Snowden Library is currently featuring a display on the history of the college mace

on the main floor of the library.

THE LYCOMING COLLEGE MACE

The hand-carved Lycoming College Mace was presented to the college as a gift of the Lycoming College Class of 1963. The mace was created from walnut and cherry woods by a local craftsman, Joseph Winton. It bears the inscriptions 1812-1963, Williamsport Academy, Dickinson Seminary, Dickinson Junior College and Lycoming College in ascending positions from the bottom to the top of the intricately carved 42 inch commemorative piece. According to 1963 class vice-president Julie Bell Martin, President D. Frederick Wertz had requested a mace for the school. The mace is carried in all official academic functions of the College at the head of the procession as the symbol of academic authority.

Originally the faculty member with the longest period of service on the faculty was designated to be the mace bearer. That person retained this prestigious honor until he/she retired. As years progressed and the mace bearer aged, it became difficult in some cases for that person to fulfill the duty.

The Academic Bulletin #9 of August 27, 1999 reports a proposal to the faculty offered by Professor Owen Herring that the mace be borne by the Chair of the Faculty. The reasoning stated was that the faculty elects the chair as their leader, thus giving added significance to the role of mace bearer and to the faculty chair. Another advantage would be that the job would involve more members of the faculty. The proposal was accepted, and became effective in the fall of 2000.

From our photo collection:

Dr. Milton Skeath (1963-1967)

Phillip G. Gillette (1968-1971)

John P. Graham (1972-1982)

John (Jack) G. Hollenback (1979-1988)

Dr. Eduardo Guerra (1989-1999)

Dr. Melvin C. Zimmerman (2001-2002)

Sue K. Beidler (2003)

Dr. Mehrdad Madresehee (2008)

Voices of Lycoming: Chapel Tape Series

The Voices of Lycoming Collection includes audio files of speakers in Clarke Chapel. These public addresses give listeners a first-person view of significant people and events in the life of the college.

The six Voices of Lycoming selections were chosen out of a series of reel to reel recordings, primarily of the Chapel Series Lectures that punctuated the late 1950's through the early 1970's, for their unique relationship to Lycoming College.

Sol "Woody" Wolfe was a surprise find because the tape was not marked as being him and he speaks extensively on former President John W. Long. Bishop Corson discusses the transition of Dickinson Seminary and Junior College to Lycoming College, an accredited four year institution—a transition in which he played an instrumental role. Dr. Wertz is featured in both his first lecture as president and in his consecration ceremony to become a bishop, which marked the end of his presidency here at Lycoming. President Detwiler's recording was also a surprise find because not only was it not listed with the other recordings, but it is a public address to the student body during a time of distress and unrest on campus of which there is still much speculation and rumor. Dr. Hutson's recording is the only available piece of its kind in the College Archives that brings his voice back to life.

In his "Architects of Success" series, local broadcaster Sol "Woody" Wolfe tells the story of John W. Long, president of Lycoming College from 1921-1955.
Click here to listen to the Sol Wolfe recording. [Time=17:35]

Bishop Fred Pierce Corson addresses the Lycoming Associate's Meeting of April 14, 1964. His talk focuses on resistance and success in the college's history.
Click here to listen to the Bishop Corson recording [Time=43:6].

Dr. D. Frederick Wertz presents the mid-year convocation address on January 31, 1961, as one of the first acts of his presidency at Lycoming College. Many references are made to the "weather forecast" that was part of President John F. Kennedy's State of the Union address the preceding day.
Click here to listen to Dr. Wertz's convocation address. [Time=30:15]


This recording is of the Service of Consecration for the installation of Bishops D. Frederick Wertz and Roy Nichols, Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, July 27, 1968.
Click here to listen to the installation of Dr. Wertz as Bishop. [Time=30:20]

Lycoming College (acting) President John G. Detwiler responds to student concerns about the resignation of Dean Marshall at an open forum sponsored by the Student Government Association, February 8, 1969.
Click here to listen to the Detwiler recording. [Time=51:44]

Dr. Harold T. Hutson discusses religion vs. relevancy in his February 10, 1970 lecture.
Click here listen to the Hutson recoriding. [Time=34:10]

Remembering Mary Landon Russell 1913-2008

Click here for the official obituary published in the November 23, 2008 Sun-Gazette.

Snowden Library is currently honoring Mary Landon Russell with a display on the main floor. The display contains several photos from the Lycoming College Archival Photo Collection as well as artifacts, newspaper articles, yearbooks and other documents.

Some of the photos on display include:

Miss Mary Landon poses with the Double Male Quartet in 1937.

Miss Mary Landon poses with the Double Male Quartet in 1938. View this photo in our Archival Photo Gallery.

Mary Landon Russell is presented with a rocking chair on the occassion of her retirement in 1978. View this photo in our Archival Photo Gallery.

Mary Russell Landon (far right) at Homecoming 1985.

Mary Russell (left) is recognized during Homecoming 1999 for receiving the Dale V. Bower Service Award for oustanding service to Lycoming College.

Mary Russell (seated) poses with other honored alumni at Homecoming 1999. View this photo in our Archival Photo Gallery.

Some of the artifacts included in the display case:

A sterling silver plate given to Mrs. Russell upon her retirement. It reads: Lycoming College Williamsport, Pennsylvania - Presented to Mary Landon Russell on the Occasion of her Retirement - 1978.

A plaque given to Mrs. Russell upon her retirement.

The Dale V. Bower Service Award

A song written for Mrs. Russell.