Mace bearer at Graduation

Date: May 9, 2004

Mace bearer at Graduation

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Eureka4us
"Does anyone know who will be the Mace Bearer leading the procession at graduation this weekend?

I believe Charlie McCormick is Grand Marshall.

Date: May 9, 2004

They carry a mace in royal coronations. Also in Anglican/Episcopal services that have a verger, the verger carries a rod before the processional (but is that a mace?)

I would suspect it's of Roman origin.

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"They carry a mace in royal coronations. Also in Anglican/Episcopal services that have a verger, the verger carries a rod before the processional (but is that a mace?) I would suspect it's of Roman origin."

I am wrong, wrong. They're medieval. Sorry.

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: COST faculty
"I believe Charlie McCormick is Grand Marshall."

Polymer Science Professor that has a looooong history with Shelby. All types of rumors about them catting around in the old days, both had eyes for female students or staff of their department. I think McCormick married the girlfriend of one of his students (sic(k))

Date: May 9, 2004

http://www.usm.edu/fsenate/minutes/2002-10-18.html

Don't know if Shelby Changed this or not

6.4 Awards: A. Miller: We've been asked by the Office of the Provost to develop a new Grand Marshall Award to be given annually, and the recipient would serve as Grand Marshall at every graduation. We developed a description, eligibility criteria, and documentation, which have been distributed to FS. We need to vote on whether we endorse this.

From "Grand Marshal Award" document, disseminated to FS:

Description: The "Grand Marshal Award" recognizes a senior faculty member who has excelled in teaching, research, and service. This award carries an honorarium of $1,000.

Eligibility: Full-time faculty members who hold the rank of Full Professor and have a minimum of ten years experience at USM are eligible. Individuals who receive this award are not eligible for five years, and individuals who have received two Grand Marshal Awards are ineligible. Nominations will be accepted from any faculty member or administrator. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Winner of the Grand Marshal Award will be recognized and serve as Grand Marshal for commencement ceremonies for one calendar year (May, August and December ceremonies).

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: FacSen Revealer
"http://www.usm.edu/fsenate/minutes/2002-10-18.html Don't know if Shelby Changed this or not 6.4 Awards: A. Miller: We've been asked by the Office of the Provost to develop a new Grand Marshall Award to be given annually, and the recipient would serve as Grand Marshall at every graduation. We developed a description, eligibility criteria, and documentation, which have been distributed to FS. We need to vote on whether we endorse this. From "Grand Marshal Award" document, disseminated to FS: Description: The "Grand Marshal Award" recognizes a senior faculty member who has excelled in teaching, research, and service. This award carries an honorarium of $1,000. Eligibility: Full-time faculty members who hold the rank of Full Professor and have a minimum of ten years experience at USM are eligible. Individuals who receive this award are not eligible for five years, and individuals who have received two Grand Marshal Awards are ineligible. Nominations will be accepted from any faculty member or administrator. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Winner of the Grand Marshal Award will be recognized and serve as Grand Marshal for commencement ceremonies for one calendar year (May, August and December ceremonies)."

You might remember that last year's GM was our own William Scarborough. Rumor is that this was a big reason why faculty excellence awards which were usually handled by the Senate were suddenly given to a new committee appointed by the administration. A compromise was worked out (interim) in which the old Senate awards committee was combined with the admin appointed committee. Word from the Senators is that most of the real work was done by them and the admin folks were irregular attenders . . . . what's new?

We still don't know how it will work for next year.

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: present professor
"
You might remember that last year's GM was our own William Scarborough. Rumor is that this was a big reason why faculty excellence awards which were usually handled by the Senate were suddenly given to a new committee appointed by the administration."

It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly petty this administration is. They waste such energy on such small things--who is carrying the mace? Give me a break! But fascism is in the details, I guess.

Date: May 9, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: foot soldier
" It never ceases to amaze me how incredibly petty this administration is. They waste such energy on such small things--who is carrying the mace? Give me a break! But fascism is in the details, I guess."

In the old south rewarding ones cronies is not such a small thing. Prof. McCormick goes way back with Thames through many dark happenings, a little reward guarantees his silence about what he knows of Dr. Thames.

Date: May 9, 2004

So, Thames took the Grand Marshall appointing away from the Senate? Agree with the micromanaging comments of earlier.

Date: May 10, 2004

Given the tone of the presidency, the selection of his cronies for raises or honors and the apparent business as usual tones coming out from elliot show thread that this is deep south conspiracy, perhaps the faculty senate should consider changing the title "grand marshall" for the commencement to the "grand wizard", it would cement our image as a world class university that would please Mr. Forrest. Sure bet that any nominee put forth by Shelbert for such a position has a well starched sheet in the closet.

No Quarter, not even a dime.

Date: May 10, 2004

Watching for a while from a distance but this one got me this morning. I came through Dr. Thames's department and have a lot of admiration for the man, the professor and the scientist. While there had classes from the "Grand Marshall". His white sheet is not in the closet. He proudly flaunted it in class and with his students. This disturbs me deeply.

Date: May 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: old admin
"Polymer Science Professor that has a looooong history with Shelby. All types of rumors about them catting around in the old days, both had eyes for female students or staff of their department. I think McCormick married the girlfriend of one of his students (sic(k))"

I'm fairly sure she was a staff member in Polymer Science. Not sure if the girlfriend rumor is true.

Date: May 10, 2004

New USM mace design:

Date: May 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"New USM mace design: "

is it only me or can anyone else see the design from Invictus?

Date: May 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: looking
"
is it only me or can anyone else see the design from Invictus?
"

Oops. The image is at a Geocities website, which may mean that it gets blocked unless it's being displayed on a Geocities page.

You can see it here in all its raging glory...

Date: May 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
" Oops. The image is at a Geocities website, which may mean that it gets blocked unless it's being displayed on a Geocities page. You can see it here in all its raging glory..."

Thank you.

Date: May 10, 2004

Is this Shelby & McCormick in action?

Date: May 10, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
"I am wrong, wrong. They're medieval. Sorry."

No, you were right the first time . . . they're Roman. Sallust mentioned their use in the Roman senate.

Date: May 10, 2004

Wow. I thought I might bump this one back up in response to some of the previous comments about the Faculty Excellence Awards committee members, and I surely hope the comments about Senate members speaking negatively about other members are false.

I’ll be the first to say I’m reacting because I’m taking it personally -- I’m one of those “outside” appointees. Did I have a difficult time attending meetings? Yes. They were all, save the first and last, scheduled at a time I teach. Did I contribute to the committee, and did I take my charge seriously. Again, a resounding “Yes.”

Why was the committee taken away from the Faculty Senate? I don’t know, nor do I think it was appropriate. But I do know this -- I was not asked to serve on this committee by any person in the Dome; there’s noone in there who is looking to curry favor with me nor reward me for anything I’ve done. I was asked by my chair and my associate dean. I also know this -- I am no supporter of Shelby Thames nor the vast majority of his cadre of adminstrators. In fact, I’ve been right there fighting the good fight with the rest of you (albeit more quietly, which is my style).

Simply assuming that those of use who were asked to serve on this committee are in any way, shape, or form “Thames supporters” is as ridiculous as saying every person who received mid-year raises is a “Thames supporter.” FS closed that thread as a nonproductive discussion, and I’m not trying to start a big hulabaloo with my post -- just asking for the same respect and consideration.

I won’t speak for everyone else who were new apointees on the committee but from the little I know of these folk, I’d imagine they’d fall in the same camp as me.

Date: May 10, 2004

Is there a list of the members of the University Excellence Awards Committee available? I did a search of the USM campus and came up empty handed.

Date: May 11, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: looking
"Is there a list of the members of the University Excellence Awards Committee available? I did a search of the USM campus and came up empty handed."

I beleive that Tony Lewis (Art Dept.) and Alan Thompson (Criminal Justice Dept.)are the co-chairs.

Date: May 11, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Wait a sec now. . .
"Wow. I thought I might bump this one back up in response to some of the previous comments about the Faculty Excellence Awards committee members, . . . just asking for the same respect and consideration. I won’t speak for everyone else who were new apointees on the committee but from the little I know of these folk, I’d imagine they’d fall in the same camp as me. "

Since I'm the one who ponied up this information -- I'll be the one to apologize to Wait a sec now . . . and his (her) other appointed members of the committee.

I didn't realized the appointed members didn't know how all of this came down . . .

It reinforces the way this administration works: if you don't like one faculty committee, abolish it and appoint another. That is a great way to pit us against each other.

Sorry for the misunderstanding on my part.

Date: May 11, 2004

Thanks Present Professor. . .

I agree -- now is not the time to be divisive or derisive towards our colleagues. And I do suspect that is a frequent agenda of the brethren of the Dome -- getting us fighting amongst ourselves will distract us from our cause, further damage the manner in which many community members view us, and deflect attention from where it needs to be.

Date: May 11, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Wait a sec now . . .
"Thanks Present Professor. . . I agree -- now is not the time to be divisive or derisive towards our colleagues. And I do suspect that is a frequent agenda of the brethren of the Dome -- getting us fighting amongst ourselves will distract us from our cause, further damage the manner in which many community members view us, and deflect attention from where it needs to be. "

Thanks for your understanding . . .

Date: May 12, 2004

Just returned from a late night of work (evil industry) and stopped by to see the comments made. The comments show a good healthy discussion. Question for the board - does the award committee take into account more than just length and quality of service to the university for the award or does it also count the standing of one as a citizen? This quest for information would apply to both the appointed group and to the committee of the faculty senate. My limited contact with Prof. Scarborough while at USM left me with the impression that his life outside the classroom is as laudable as the contributions inside.

Keep up the interesting posts, may not always agree but they are informative.