Generations of Wittenberg alumni can recall the university's motto, "Having Light We Pass It On To Others," with ease, but the class of 2006 wanted to take the beloved phrase one step further. For the first time in the university's 161-year history, an official Wittenberg torch was physically passed to the class of 2007 during the university's Commencement exercises, May 13.

The event served to symbolize the passing of light that defines the Wittenberg experience and daily inspires students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Spearheaded by the 2006 class officers, President Elise Renz, Vice President Sarah Gearhart, Secretary Mark Yehl and Treasurer Anne Gohmann, the creation of the torch required significant time and attention to detail.

At the officers' request, Wittenberg carpenter and foreman Kenny Lake shepherded the project, which included designing and handcrafting the torch, and coordinating the entire production. The project took weeks to complete. Ed Charney, associate professor of art and department chair, also worked with Lake to create the intricate arrangement of eight brass, bronze and copper petals, which form the torch flame itself.