Traditions
Hymn to Wayne
To thee, our Alma Mater,
Homage we bring.
Brave hearts raise grateful voices
Thy praise to sing.
Young art thou, young and strong;
Renowned shalt thou live, and long;
Honors to thee will throng-
And Fame to thee cling.
We laud thee, Alma Mater,
Guardian of Right.
Thou art our guide, our mentor-
Thy name shines bright.
Keep Learning's light aflame,
And hold Truth a sacred name,
Honor, thy steadfast aim.
All hail to thy might.
- Nicholas Stanley Oates '29
WSU Victory Song
The Green and Gold of old Wayne U.
flies over the field today.
Our hearts are light for with our might
A vict'ry is on its way.
The team is strong, for them we'll cheer,
Wayne U. will march along.
And at the end our voices blend
in Wayne U.'s vict'ry song.
- Don Gragg
The WSU mace
The Academic Mace of Wayne State University is a ceremonial scepter whose features relate to the ancient maces used by universities worldwide. Though a symbol of the highest ideals of humankind, many maces exhibit the main characteristics of their most ancient relative: The medieval battle-mace or war club.
The university's 51-inch mace consists of layers of carved ebony held in place by a tubular shaft. By tradition, it is carried by the sergeant-at-arms and occupies a prominent place before those who attend and conduct the commencement ceremony.
As the battle-mace lost its usefulness as a weapon, it began to appear as a ceremonial staff in processions of royalty, magistrates, and church or university officials. During the commencement ceremony, it serves as a symbolic weapon to protect and proclaim the ideals of harmony, truth, justice and learning.
The Academic Mace of Wayne State University is a gift of Sara and Melvin Maxwell Smith. A 1939 graduate of the university, Mr. Smith was for many years a generous contributor to the artistic enrichment of campus life. The Academic Mace was designed and created in 1984 by the late Phillip Fike, professor of art at Wayne State until his death in 1997.