Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction .

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication .

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Drum Major's Mace, 1917, Artifact-003, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

This collection was acquired by the Special Collections and University Archive October 2017.

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Drum Major's Mace was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in October 2017.

Biographical

Sherman Edmond Seelinger graduated from Virginia Polytecnic Institute in 1921 with a bachelor's in Animal Husbandry. Seelinger was very active in school extracurriculars as a cheerleader, member of the Athletic Council and the Monogram Club, manager of the baseball team, and leader of the Cotillion Club, opening two nights of the Club's Easter dances.

Biographical

Ralph Edwards Hughes of Ore Bank (later Arvonia), Virginia, earned a degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute in 1917.

Scope and Contents

This Drum Major's Mace was previously owned by Ralph Edward Hughes and was possibly given to him by Sherman Edmond Seelinger. The mace is approxamately three feet long and is wrapped in orange and maroon ribbon, with excess ribbon hanging off of one end. On the opposite end of the mace is a rounded wooden top that has been painted gold. Some staining on ribbon is present as well as chipping paint on the rounded wooden top.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• University Archives
• University History
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute (1944-1970)

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Drum Major's Mace by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).