Symbols for the Presidential Investiture
The Mace
The Mace symbolizes the school's governing authority of the president. It signifies that the proceedings have official sanction. Carried by the Mace Bearer in any official procession (such as graduation, investiture, or convocation ceremonies), the Mace is the medieval symbol of the office and the authority of the President.
The head is made from sterling silver and gold, and the shaft is carved from Australian Rosewood. The school's logo (including the “A” for Atlanta, and the “M” for Morehouse, the Caduceus, within a globe) forms the head, Morehouse School of Medicine is inscribed on the medial ring of the lower orb, while the motto — Knowledge, Wisdom, Excellence, Service — is inscribed on the ledge of the shaft.
The names of the presidents of the institution will be carved in the silver sleeves of the shaft, depicting the continuity of institutional leadership over the years.
The Mace was designed and crafted by Mr. Richard Mafon of Georgia State University and presented as a gift to the School by Dr. and Mrs. Theodore P. Ritota of South Orange, New Jersey.
The tradition of the mace derives from medieval times in England, when the mace was held by a bodyguard for dignitaries at ceremonial functions. As an ancient symbol of authority, it reminds us that universities are custodians of both the enduring traditions of learning and the power they bestow upon those who come to learn. It is also a reminder that the learning process has not always been comfortable and easy.
The Seal
The official seal of Morehouse School of Medicine is a die (a reverse image of an embossed facsimile) of the school's logo which contains the following elements within a braided gold band:
In the inner most circle: “A” for Atlanta, Georgia and “M” for Morehouse School of Medicine, atop the Caduceus (which is within a globe); in the lower arc, the founding motto is featured: Knowledge * Wisdom * 1975 * Excellence * Service.
In the outer area: MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE is displayed in the upper arc; Atlanta, Georgia is featured in the lower arc.
The Robe & The Hood
The Morehouse School of Medicine Presidential academic robe (in MSM colors) is dark blue with black velvet trim down the front, the school's crest embroidered in gold on each of the black velvet panels, and four black chevrons with white trim — emblematic of the presidential office — on each bell-shaped sleeve.
The dark blue hood, trimmed in a light blue, is rounded at the base, four feet long with a four inch velvet border on the outside. The lining is blue and white.
The Medallion
The Medallion is suspended from a linked chain with three ladder rungs on the bottom, separated by the MSM logo from three ladder rungs on top on each side of the chain. Each ladder rung is either blank or engraved with the names of the previous presidents. On the facing side, below the first ladder rung (with a fleur-de-lis partially visible above the inscribed word “President”) is the MSM medallion which is an embossed facsimile of the school's logo which contains the following elements within a braided gold band:
In the inner most circle: “A” for Atlanta, Georgia and “M” for Morehouse School of Medicine, atop the Caduceus (which is within a globe); in the lower arc, the founding motto is featured: Knowledge * Wisdom * 1975 * Excellence * Service.
In the outer area: MOREHOUSE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE is displayed in the upper arc; Atlanta, Georgia is featured in the lower arc.