How many coats does an old Coat of Arms need if a Coat of Arms needs a new coat?

King’s student Marcellus Cogswell-Wright poses with the recently refinished crest that adorns the King’s library.

Marcellus Cogswell-Wright, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student, is having a busy summer working for King’s Facilities Department. One of his assignments was to repaint the Coat of Arms that has hung above the Library’s main entrance since its installment in the early 90s. This is the first time the crest has been removed.

“When I walk through King’s, I’m able to look at the Coat of Arms, and all the projects I worked on, and have pride in my campus and the work I did. I can say ‘I did that!'” Marcellus said.

Repainting the Coat of Arms may have been the perfect job for Marcellus. “We painted a lot when I was younger, but I don’t think I’ve done much since I was 12. It felt good to be creative. I enjoy following a project through from start to finish. It’s a feeling of accomplishment.”

The old crest, created by King’s fourth President (left) was replaced by our current Coat of Arms in 1964.

The Coat of Arms Marcellus worked on was created by King’s fourth President, George McCawley, in 1867 and used for nearly 100 years. It combines the Royal Arms with the Arms of Nova Scotia, the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Oxford University, on which King’s is patterned. In 1964, it was discovered that the Coat of Arms had never been officially sanctioned by the College of Arms. That year King’s registered the Coat of Arms that we use today.

Repainting the Coat of Arms is but one of many Facilities projects underway this summer to get campus ready to welcome students back to King’s on Move-In Day.

“I really enjoyed my time here [with Facilities] this summer,” says Marcellus. “It’s a close-knit team and I’m happy coming to work every day.” He hopes to rejoin the team next summer and continue working to improve campus life for everyone.