Designed by
Holloway, Charnelle, American
Owned by
Dr. Cole, Johnnetta Betsch, American, born 1936
Subject of
Spelman College, American, founded 1881
Date
1988
Medium
metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 19 3/4 × 8 × 1/2 in. (50.2 × 20.3 × 1.3 cm)
Description
A silver medal commemorating the inauguration of Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole as the seventh president of Spelman College. The circular medallion reads "SPELMAN COLLEGE" in gold lettering relief circling the top, with a downward pointing blue triangle with a smaller downward pointing silver triangle at its center with a gold 5-point star in the middle. The school motto "OUR WHOLE SCHOOL FOR CHRIST" is etched around the triangle. The year "1881" in gold lettering relief at the bottom center outside the triangle. All of the above is encircled in a gold band with the exterior an undulating line. The outer edge of the medallion is silver with alternating shiny and matte lines pointing towards the middle of the medallion, resembling rays. The reverse of the medallion is silver with engraved text reading "PRESENTED TO / SPELMAN COLLEGE / NOVEMBER 6, 1988 / IN HONOR OF / THE INAUGURATION OF / JOHNETTA BETSCH COLE / SEVENTH PRESIDENT". The medallion is attached at the center top to a wide silver chain featuring alternating grooved stripe rectangles and hexagons with raised centers attached by a double-line of chain link.
Place used
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards and Medals
Type
medals
Topic
African diaspora
Clothing and dress
Design
Education
Fashion design
HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Johnnetta Betsch Cole
Object number
2015.209.3
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd50c8c6af3-f217-4b26-b6d0-f40ef08b81d4

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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