Heraldry (Alive again) at Sewanee: The University of the South

Flying heraldry at Sewanee.  The banners of the University of the South on full display inside All Saints' Chapel during a lecture.  Source: The University of the South.

In the summer of 2007, I moved onto the "domain" of the University of the South to begin coursework as a seminarian towards a Master of Divinity degree.  More often referred to as simply, "Sewanee," it's a small iconic university high atop the Cumberland plateau in middle Tennessee.  The Domain encompasses nearly 13,000 acres of beauty.  Described once to me as an "Episcopal theme park," the domain is filled with academic buildings designed in gothic architecture, with several modeled on Magdalene College, Oxford.  The professors wear gowns to class, and the whole place is a haven of the best of the Episcopal Church.  Legally owned by 28 dioceses of The Episcopal Church (a peculiar only in America), Sewanee is wholly an Episcopal university comprised of the College of Arts & Sciences (the undergraduate college), the School of Theology (the seminary), and the newcomer on the block, the School of Letters.  My three years at Sewanee were among the best in my life so far.  I'm proud to have earned my M.Div. from this university.

So much has developed, heraldically speaking, in the past four years at my alma mater that I felt like a post was in order.

While I was a student, there was not much by way of celebrating the unique heraldry of the university.  This was always odd to me, as the place is the perfect setting for coat armour:  the academic and religious processions, the majesty of All Saints' Chapel, and so on.  Thankfully, so much has since changed in the intervening years.     

For a quick recap on the heraldry of Sewanee's heraldry, please click here to read about the heraldry of the University of the South.  

Several years ago when I began writing about heraldry and exploring the armorial bearings of Sewanee, I rendered the arms as banners because I had hopes that one day students and alumni would see the brilliance of Dr. James Waring McCrady's designs for theses arms flying during university rituals.  Click here to read about my designs for the banners of Sewanee.  

The heraldic banner of the University of the South, rendered by Dr. Krouse, Sept. 19, 2014.

Little did I know, then, that one reader would quickly take action!  The Rev. Rob Donahue T'16, was then a seminarian and contacted me through this blog.  He later penned an article, "Sewanee's Treasured Tressure." By March 22, 2016, Donahue had taken my design concept and managed to convince the leadership at the university to move forward with flying heraldry for the celebration of the Second Founding of the University.  Rob was kind enough to give me a shout-out in the the student newspaper, The Sewanee Purple.  Click here to read the article from The Sewanee Purple.

Faculty lining up for an academic procession at Sewanee with the heraldic banners in background.  Source: The University of the South.

Furthermore, Donahue was generous to send me a flag of the School of Theology's arms.  I want to again thank Fr. Rob for his generosity and tenacity for making heraldry come alive at Sewanee!  By the Spring of 2018, the seminary received as a gift from the senior class, a new heraldic banner of the arms of the School of Theology.   

Seminarians surrounding the newly commissioned banner of arms, a gift to the Seminary by the Class of 2018. Source: The University of the South. 

Another exciting development in flying heraldry occured on the Domain by the fall 2018.  Dr. McCrady, the original designer of the Sewanee coats in the early 1980s, re-emerged to design heraldic banners for all the residential houses on campus.  Click here to read the article on the new residence hall banners in The Sewanee Purple.

Inside McClurg Dining Hall: the new 19 banners of the residential halls of the university designed by Dr. J. Waring McCrady, Fall 2018.  Source: The Sewanee Purple.  

 

Click on this link to see photos and rationale of all 19 banners designed by Dr. McCrady.  Allow me to share three of my favorite banners.

The heraldic banner of St. Luke's Hall, the University of the South.  St. Luke's was the original residence of the School of Theology.  Source: The University of the South.

The heraldic banner of Hoffman Hall, The University of the South.  Source: The University of the South.

The heraldic banner of Phillips Hall, The University of the South.  Source: The University of the South.

I'm so thrilled to see my alma mater basking in the glory of heraldry, and even more honored to have played a small part.  Sewanee continues to occupy a special place in American higher education, and the university's armorial bearings further that unique role.  Perhaps it's now time to publish an attractive hardbound armorial detailing all of these arms!