Tezon Mitchell ’27 of Greensburg, was inspired by university’s iconic John B. Begley Chapel, new academic seal, Blue Raiders and Lindsey Wilson mission.
by Duane Bonifer
COLUMBIA, KY. (03/30/2026) When Lindsey Wilson University holds its 123rd commencement ceremonies May 1-2, the university’s president will be displaying a new item.
LWU President William T. Luckey Jr. will preside over the commencement ceremonies while wearing a new presidential medallion, which was designed by Lindsey Wilson student Tezon Mitchell ’27 of Greensburg, Kentucky.
The new presidential medallion, which is made of brass, features “Lindsey Wilson University” below elements of the crown of the university’s iconic John B. Begley Chapel. Below the school’s name are the lamp of wisdom and book of knowledge taken from the university’s new seal, which appear inside of the the words “every student, every day,” a phrase that is the essence of the Lindsey Wilson mission.
The year 1903 — when the school was founded — appears at the bottom. The lower half of the medallion is framed by a pair of new icons — two swords, which refer to the university’s Blue Raiders nickname.
Mitchell said the swords represent a common thread that connects all Lindsey Wilson students.
“At Lindsey Wilson University, we all consider ourselves to be Blue Raiders,” said Mitchell. “Adding the swords was very important because they represent one of the things that is consistent across the university. We have different majors, we play different sports, and we participate in various extracurricular activities, but we all consider ourselves to be Blue Raiders.”
The chain that supports the seal includes the cross and flame logo of The United Methodist Church and the seal of the commonwealth of Kentucky, along with the names and years of the school’s eight presidents.
University’s first presidential medallion
This is the first time the Lindsey Wilson presidential medallion has been replaced since Luckey was inaugurated as the school’s eighth president, more than 25 years ago. That one was also designed by a Lindsey Wilson student, along with help from a member of the Lindsey Wilson art faculty.
Lindsey Wilson College became Lindsey Wilson University on July 1, 2025, which meant that a new presidential medallion was required.
Luckey said he selected Mitchell to design the piece because he wanted to continue the tradition of having a student create the formal badge that represents the Lindsey Wilson president’s office at academic ceremonies. Mitchell had also given Luckey valuable input on the new logo and seal that were adopted to mark the transition from college to university.
Mitchell said he wanted to preserve some of the elements of the last medallion, such as references to the Begley Chapel, “but I wanted to make it more modern and unique compared to the older one.”
“I wanted it to be more modern while still capturing the essence of the school,” said Mitchell, who is a graduate of Campbellsville (Kentucky) High School.
Mitchell submitted three drafts of the medallion to Luckey and First Lady Elise Luckey during the 2025 fall semester. After they settled on a final design, it was sent to a foundry in January.
“I’m very thankful to the Luckeys for trusting my vision,” said Mitchell. “They made it clear that they wanted me to take it where I thought it should go.”
Mitchell, who is an art major, said “it felt good to use the things I’ve learned and picked up throughout my studies in school and also independently from the school.”
Mitchell said the significance of designing a university symbol that will be used at scores of academic events and ceremonies over the years was not lost on him either.
“Being the person responsible for a new presidential medallion that’s going to be used for many decades feels very profound, and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to have done it,” said Mitchell. “I’m happy to be able to contribute something so concrete and long-term to the school.”
Lindsey Wilson University President William T. Luckey Jr., left, and student Tezon Mitchell ’27 of Greensburg, Kentucky, hold the university’s new presidential medallion, which Mitchell designed. The medallion is the formal badge that represents the Lindsey Wilson president’s office at academic ceremonies.
The Lindsey Wilson University presidential medallion was designed by student Tezon Mitchell ’27 of Greensburg, Kentucky. The medallion is the formal badge that represents the Lindsey Wilson president’s office at academic ceremonies.
Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university’s 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.
View Online: http://lindseywilson.meritpages.com/news/lindsey-wilson-university-student-designs-new-presidential-medallion/58550
(Duane Bonifer – Lindsey Wilson University)