THE WYSOR SABER A Symbol of Excellence
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t the end of every spring semester, less than a day before Presbyterian College celebrates Commencement on the West Plaza, a small but special group of seniors gathers for a different ceremony that marks their transition from Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets in the Highlander Battalion to commissioned officers in various branches of the U.S. military. Its participants uphold generations of tradition and welcome servicemen and women who serve now and have served before. Friends and family see these cadets take an oath to defend their country. They witness the silver-dollar salute marking the first time they are saluted by a non-commissioned officer. And they see one cadet honored above all others with a symbol of excellence that bears the name of someone they have never met and may know little about.
THE WYSOR SABER The saber, presented to the Highlander Battalion’s top cadet, is named for the late Col. Robert E. Wysor Jr., a former commandant of cadets and professor of military science from 1929 to 1937, who built PC’s ROTC program into one of the best in the Southeast. In 1932, he began the tradition of presenting a military saber to the battalion’s top senior cadet; eventually, that tradition would also bear his name. While it is difficult to remember someone who passed away before many people today were even born, there remain those who continue to keep alive Wysor’s legacy as a soldier, a leader and a community servant. Wysor’s grandson, Michael Ivey ’93, is one of those people. Each spring he and other family members help present the cherished award, and each spring he is awed by the commissioning ceremony and the ROTC community. “It’s a humbling experience to witness,” Ivey said. “All those years, to see the same people devoted to serving our country, I hope it instills respect for and awareness of our military. It’s a ceremonial step toward a potential career centered on sacrifice and, for me, it’s emotional.” Michael’s sister, Cindy Ivey, agrees, too, that the Wysor
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Saber continues to exemplify traits their grandfather lived by — honor, duty, courage, and doing the right thing. “(The award) is about patriotism, doing for others and setting an example,” she said. “My grandfather expected everyone to do their best — not perfection, but being a leader and a role model.” With their brother Frank, Michael and Cindy Ivey grew up with a deep respect and admiration for the military. In addition to their grandfather, their father, Ben Ivey ’47, also was a military man. After serving in the U.S. Navy, their father went to PC and was himself a recipient of the Wysor Saber. He also met and fell in love with Wysor’s daughter, Kent, the future Mrs. Ivey, and served as his alma mater’s professor of military science in the early 1970s. “He was a very emotional supporter of the College,” Michael Ivey said. “Homecoming, for example, was a big deal in our house.” “Clinton was a special place for the entire family,” Cindy Ivey said. At PC, her grandfather found a more permanent home and was always surrounded by local veterans and PC graduates. “The Army is like a family,” she said. “We always feel connected.” Today, both Michael and Cindy hope that the support the College community showed for their extended family over the years will continue for the Highlander Battalion at least another 100 years. “I never served in the military,” Michael said, “but I have tremendous respect for those who have. When the (Wysor Saber) is presented, I hope people see the cadets as models for what excellence looks like. The award is an opportunity to quietly recognize that excellence.” n
