On June 18, 2022, at the first in-person convocation since the start of the pandemic, Associate Professor Tizazu MekonnenÌýwasÌýmacebearer for the Faculty of Engineering. The role of macebearer, steeped in university tradition and symbolism, is the highest faculty honour. This year’s convocation ceremony heralded a return to the pageantry that is associated with convocation at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.
The mace is emblematic ofÌýthe chancellor’s authority to confer degrees. The mace was given to the university in 1965Ìýand isÌýmade of solid silver and ebony.ÌýThe designÌýof the mace has seeds at the base to represent creativity and innovation. Four points emerge from the seeds to form a crown. The four points do not touch, embodyingÌýthe concept that they remain as individuals engaged in deep harmony.
The symbolic theme represented inÌýthe design ofÌýthe mace isÌýunity amid diversity. Mekonnen, recently named director of the Indigenous and Black Engineering Technology Ph.D. Project (IBET) was a natural choice for the role. Mary Wells, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering bestowed the honour upon Mekonnen in early April. It was his first time carrying the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ mace at convocation. Mekonnen commented,
It was an honour to represent the Faculty of Engineering and lead top university officials to the stage.
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Mekonnen enjoyed being part of the convocation. Many of his undergraduate students and three of his graduate students received their degrees during the ceremony.