During the Middle Ages, the metal-clad wooden mace was an effective weapon in battle. As newer and more powerful arms were developed, its military significance diminished, and it was transformed into a symbol of authority. Today, the ceremonial mace is used in many government assembly locations, such as the British and Canadian Houses of Parliament, and is carried before ecclesiastical dignitaries and in university ceremonies such as this.
The mace used for VIU’s convocation was designed and created by retired art instructor John A. Charnetski in 1994. The metre-long mace is made of stainless steel and gold-plated cast bronze. It features four guardian eagles and enameled medallions bearing VIU’s coat of arms and arbutus emblems. At the convocation ceremonies, the mace is carried by a retiring member the VIU community to honour his or her contribution to the University.
Past Macebearers
The following Vancouver Island University employees have carried the mace in past ceremonies:
June 2023 – John Morgan, Sylvia Scow (Les Malbon), Marni Stanley, Carol Stuart
June 2022 – Tim Goater, Les Malbon, Steven Purse
June 2021 – Tina McComb
Sept 2020 – Sheila Cooper
Jan 2020 – Steve Lane, Donald Noakes, Janet Sinclair
June 2019 – Kate Challenger, Janeane MacGillivray, Carol Desilets, John Lepage, David Witty, Debbie Shore
Feb 2019 – Tracy Gillis, Graham Pike
June 2018 – Patrick Carpenter, Andrea Smilski, Janina Hornosty, Dave Twynam, Harry Janzen, Gordon Buzzard
Feb 2018 – Neil Macmillan, Bernie Krynowsky
June 2017 – Brenda Sully; Patrick Konkin; Katharina Rout; John Black; Dana Collette; Stephanie Richards
Jan 2017 – Jim Ketelsen; Richard Dunstan
Nov 2016 – Ruth Kroek
June 2016 – Philomena Williams; Virginia MacCarthy; Don Cohen; Brock Dykeman; Jane Watson; Tricia Abbott; Gary Doolin
Jan 2016 – Bryan Stovell; Patricia Eagar
June 2015 – Linda Byrnes; Dr. Ken Hammer; Don Tillapaugh; Dr. Frances Sprout; Stu Seifert
Jan 2015 – Keith Harrison; Wayne Hiles
June 2014 – Janet Allan; John Anderson; Liz Haamond-Kaarremma; Darrel Mansbridge; Rick Rollins
Jan 2014 – Steve Jones; Jane Kelly
June 2013 – Allan Warnke; Diny van Beers; Jean Tonski; Linda McDonell; Fred MacDonald
Jan 2013 – Vanessa Oltmann; Mike Armstrong
June 2012 – Stephanie Buckingham; Rhonda Bailey; Maria Gomes
Feb 2012 – Gary Tunnell; David Drakeford
June 2011 – Carolyn Bowles; Robert Pfister; Glenda Sharpe
Jan 2011 – Pam Montgomery; Malerie Meeker; Barbara McLeod
June 2010 – Mike Mann; Bill McMillan; John Neville
Jan 2010 – Marshall Soules; Nancy Randall
June 2009 – Helen Brown; Neil Smith; Rick Monaghan
Dec 2008 – Patrick Ross
June 2008 – Roger Prior; Erika Blakeman; Ron Bonham
Dec 2007 – Wendy Kellet
June 2007 – Allan Hawryzki; Jamie Brennan; Kathryn Barnwell
2006 – Ron Apland; Bill Pennell; Marianne van Toor; Robin Field
2005 – Joanne Whiting; Rob Jeacock; Anne Erickson
2004 – Bill Juby; Norman Duncan; Andra Thakur
2003 – Ray Peter; David Smith; Sue Benoit
2002 – Mike Matthews; Greg Link; Chuck and Geri Reamer
2001 – John Dennison; Sheila Colbert-Kerns
2000 – Gwyneth Evans; Jim Slater; Les Dickason; Ross Fraser
1999 – Carol Matthews
1998 – Gary Bauslaugh
1997 – Ed Hong
1996 – Catherine Whiteley; Gordon Squire
1995 – Stan Fukawa
1994 – John Charnetski