The inauguration ceremony for Dr. Kimo Ah Yun as Marquette University’s 25th president will be steeped in tradition — much of which dates back hundreds of years. Here’s what you need to know to understand all that goes into this historic event, which will be celebrated Tuesday, April 29, at 10 a.m. in the Al McGuire Center.
Academic dress
The various gowns and hoods worn by those involved in the ceremony preserve the style of their medieval origin. The color and design of each individual’s attire represents their alma maters and the degrees they have earned.
For example, the bachelor’s gown is distinguished by its long, open sleeves; the master’s by its closed, slitted sleeves; and the doctoral by its full sleeves trimmed with velvet.
Academic hoods follow a similar pattern, varying in length according to the degree earned. Hoods are lined with the colors of the institution that conferred the degree; you can spot Marquette graduates by looking for hoods lined with blue and gold.
The color of the hood’s yoke and the tassel give additional information about the degree earned.
The chain of office
The chain of office tradition dates back to the Middle Ages. The mayor of a medieval town was presented with a chain of medallions that represented the guilds working together for the town’s welfare. The chief official of a medieval university held similar authority and thus was honored with a chain of office featuring insignia of all the university’s colleges.
Marquette’s presidential chain of office was first presented on Dec. 16, 1953, to then-president Rev. Edward J. O’Donnell, S.J., by four professors who found refuge at the university after being exiled from their communist homelands.
A gold medallion bearing the likeness of two Jesuit saints — Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier — hangs from the chain with 21 bronze links, including the Marquette seal, the symbol of the Blessed Trinity, and insignia of the university’s schools and colleges.
The Marquette mace
Maces date back to their use on the battlefield as medieval war clubs. In a university environment, the mace evolved into a traditional symbol of protection and later into use as a longer walking stick. Today, the academic mace is associated with the dignity of the university and the preservation of it as a place where all subjects may be explored.
The mace bearer is traditionally one of the university’s senior faculty members. For President Ah Yun’s inauguration, that honor belongs to Ralph Anzivino, professor in Marquette University Law School. Anzivino is the longest standing faculty member at Marquette, arriving at the university in 1976.
Marquette’s mace, made of mahogany and topped with a replica of the university seal, has been incorporated in university ceremonies since 1990.
