The majority of this week’s post was written by Robert James (Jim) Stansbury in 1964, and illustrated by Paula McGrew in 2018. Please click on his name to read more about Jim.
Jim, the son of Harry A. Stansbury and Ada George Stansbury, held multiple positions at WVWC from 1954-1970
- Director of Alumni Affairs 1954-1961
- Assistant to the President (Stanley H. Martin) 1961-1963
- Director of the Campus Center and Campus Coordinator 1963-1970
He wrote this on May 30, 1964 about the Wesleyan Seal which hangs in the Social Hall of the Benedum Campus Center. The class of 1964 had presented the seal as their class gift that year. This seal was carved by local sculptor Wolfgang Flor.
Jim Stansbury writes:
The Wesleyan Seal
History
The annual catalogues of the College and Seminary afford the only record of the beginnings of the present seal. A search of the minutes of the Board of Trustees has revealed no mention of any official seal.
The rudimentary evidence of a seal is found in the 1897-98 catalogue of the old Seminary; this plain emblem had two concentric circles with “CHRISTO ET ECCLESIAE” in the center and “WEST VIRGINIA CONFERENCE SEMINARY” between the circles. At the bottom was “1886,” the year of incorporation. This appeared twice more, in 1898-99 and in 1899-1900.
The first few College catalogues, beginning in 1903-04, contain no seals or emblems. President John Wier had endowed the school with the name, “The Wesleyan University of West Virginia” in 1903-04; in 1906 the Trustees changed the name to the present one. This name appears on the covers of the 1906 and 1907 issues, while the discarded name appears on the inside. The search for a seal at this time may have been an effort to make certain that the new name would be permanent.
Catalog 1906-07
Another emblem was used in 1907-08. It contains some of the basic elements of the present seal: three books, a candle holder, a candle giving forth light. A circle of leaves perhaps reflected the affection held for the Oak Grove.
The 1908-09 issue has on its cover the first rendition of the present seal. It was used in 1909-10 on both cover and frontispiece.
In 1932-33 it shed its scalloped edge and was decorated with piping on the entire circumference. This version has been used almost continuously since then.
Interpretation
The bas relief of the seal presented today is, in several ways, an interpretation by Mr. Flor. Changes in the original have been made over the years; such as the number of books (sometimes one or two), the design of the torch and lamp, a right or left and, and alterations in the Hebrew characters. Mr. Flor has gone back to the original seal and even consulted with Hebrew scholars to insure accuracy. Native Upshur County walnut was selected for stock, in part to harmonize with furnishings in the room.
The outer circumference has the suggestion of a scalloped edge like the traditional seal. The rough treatment of the wood is intended to convey the emerging of the seal from elementary beginnings to its present form. In keeping with this, the year of the institution’s founding, 1890, appears at the bottom, flanked by two oak leaves, symbolic of he first College seal and of the Oak Grove.
The seal itself is encircled by the more recent piping bordering the Latin name. The open book, representing “The Book of Books” proclaims, “Let there be Light” in Hebrew characters. The ancient oil vessel burns on as the student, clothed in academic garb, holds his torch of learning, receiving light from the lamp of knowledge.
The thoughtfulness of the Class of 1964 will make possible the continuing awareness of the purpose of Wesleyan. Mr. Flor has carved an inspiring symbol, which will be an enduring reminder of a noble past and a guide to a promising future.
May 30, 1964
James Stansbury
The college seal appears on official documents, catalogs, and on campus signage. It has also been carved into a podium by Bobby Hawkins, Physical Plant employee from 1978-2013.
To explore more about the history of West Virginia Wesleyan College go to https://DreamersAndGiants.com
I was sitting in the front row—attending my first graduation as a Wesleyan Professor, I found myself admiring the large College Seal behind the stage. I became so curios about the seal’s history and meaning ever since. Many thanks Paula for sharing this delightful part of Wesleyan’s history!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂