Elkins, WV – During Baccalaureate Services to be held today, Friday, May 12, Davis & Elkins College graduates will receive their academic hoods along with a memento of their time on campus. The Graduating Class Commemorative Medal was designed for the class of 2023 by seniors, Katyanna and Savannah Metheny.
Now a tradition at Davis & Elkins College, the Graduating Class Commemorative Medal was introduced to the class of 2013. The idea and support came from former D&E Trustee Bill Sudbrink, an avid coin collector who also donated multiple Roman coins to The Stirrup Gallery which are displayed in the Howard-Sudbrink Collection. The medals serve as both a keepsake and a collector’s piece. Constructed of bronze, each year’s edition features a different theme.
Professor Woodcock, Chair of the Art Department, explains, “The committee selected Katyanna and Savannah to design this year’s coin because of their tireless work for the department throughout their time at D&E and we felt their knowledge of the process plus their ability to work well together would create a worthy design.”
In addition to graduates, coins are given to each member of the team responsible for the design, Sudbrink, the Davis & Elkins College archives and the Office of Student Life.
Sudbrink has also outlined a plan that will ensure the tradition continues and that others connected to the College have a chance to obtain a coin as well. Any remaining medals will be available for purchase for two years after being issued to any D&E alumnus and any member of the faculty, staff or board of trustees serving during that academic year. Any medals remaining after two years may be sold to the general public.
Katyanna and Savannah, twin sisters who hail from Elkins, WV, were excited to be selected to design this year’s medal.
Katyanna explains, “We felt like we were home after our first visit to D&E. Professor Doig took the time to introduce us to campus and all D&E had to offer. For the medal, we wanted to create a piece that encapsulated the memories we and our classmates created during our time as students.”
Utilizing their degrees in Art, Computer Science and Digital Media, the sisters chose Graceland Inn as the inspiration for the 2023 commemorative medal design.
According to Savannah, “Graceland holds a lot of memories for us and other students from classes to events like the Snowball Dance. We wanted to create a piece that would allow those experiences and memories to continue no matter where our paths lead us after graduation.”
The front face of the coin features The Metheny sisters’ drawing of historic Graceland Inn with the D&E Senator logo placed below. The back face is inscribed with the College logo.
“The coin design holds a lot of memories for us and other students,” the sisters note.
Davis & Elkins College Commencement Weekend kicks off with the Nurse Pinning Ceremony and Baccalaureate Service on today beginning at 4:00 p.m. Commencement will be held on Saturday, May 13 beginning at 10:00 a.m. To learn more about Commencement Weekend visit www.dewv.edu
~D&E~
