By Bro. Tarkin Jones 3-GE-95
As most of you know, our beloved hand-crafted escutcheon, made by Brother Rayford Harris Sr. (GE.1949). As many know there was also a period that the shield was off campus for 10 years and a Shield Recovery Team returned the shield back to the yard in February of 2015.
A bit about the original maker of our chapter shield, Bro Harris was from Boylan-Haven Mather Academy in Camden, South Carolina. His senior year and graduation were delayed due to his service in the Navy during World War II. After being honorably discharged with a rank of Seaman First Class, he returned home for graduation and matriculated at Hampton where he met his wife, Frances “Vonnie” Richardson. Bro Harris graduated in 1952 with a degree in what was widely known as Industrial Arts and received an Army Commission as a Second Lieutenant, specializing in anti-aircraft artillery. Bro Harris married his college sweetheart in 1952 and they moved to Richmond to start their teaching careers and family.
Dr. Harris’s professional career had two stops. He taught “shop” in Richmond Public Schools at Blackwell Junior High School. In 1959, Dr. Harris began his tenure at Virginia State College, where under his guidance, the Industrial Arts & Technical Education Teacher Training program blossomed. He also remained active in the fraternity and was elected District KRS for the 3rd and served in that capacity for 11 years. The escutcheon he crafted, while on campus, was made after a single piece of wood.
In preparation for the 75th Anniversary of our beloved chapter, we commissioned a new shield, and a committee was formed and charged with finding a carver that, like the one made by Brother Rayford Harris Sr., could ensure that the “Light of the 3rd D” continues to shine radiantly and that GE remains the envy of the brotherhood. Unfortunately, while the committee was working on finding and commissioning this project Bro Harris passed away on January 9th earlier this year. Every aspect of this project has been done in honor and reverence for him.
Finding a skilled craftsman to carve and replace our beloved artifact was not easy. As stated, Bro Harris carved our shield out of one piece of wood. Doing that turned out to be utterly impossible in today’s times. Many shields now are made from pressed wood, and are not as sturdy or timeless as Bro Harris’. After a thorough review of proposals, interviews and extensive vetting process, the shield committee voted and ultimately recommended Matthew Wadja in Rollinsford, New Hampshire for the project.