A crown of sterling silver rests upon the head of the mace symbolizing the emergence as an independent four-year-degree granting institution on February 1, 1969. There are five sterling bands placed horizontally around the solid rosewood mace. The first band is inscribed with the current name of the University and each of the four remaining bands is inscribed with one of the previous University names. These bands symbolize the five developmental periods of the University’s existence.