Marco - Mascot and matchmaker

In a small damp room in Old Main's basement, two seniors fell in love and created a baby ­ a baby buffalo, that is.

Jack and Vause Carlsen, who were editors for the 1954 Chief Justice yearbook, developed and introduced the idea of Marco, the university's mascot.

"We were looking for a way to personalize the yearbook," Jack said. "And I had this idea that if we could create a character on the Thundering Herd, then we could have that character wander through the yearbook.

"That's how it started and then it just seemed logical to to call him Marco because it was Marshall College, so he was our version of Marco Polo wandering through the yearbook and visiting different groups."

Marco appeared 21 times in the 1954 yearbook and was illustrated by an artist in the publishing department. He was featured smoking a pipe while reading, singing hymns, playing football, swinging a fraternity paddle and sweating anxiously while knocking on a dean's door.

Marco's parents met through Veta Lee Smith, Marshall's public relations director at the time, and also Vause's mother. Jack was Veta's assistant and he wrote press releases for the public relations office.

"We first met and said hello. I think we met a few other times and at some point I was asked to become editor-in-chief of the '54 yearbook," Jack said.

Vause said, "I was chairman of the Chief Justice board, which was the overseer of the yearbook. And I became managing editor of the yearbook, so Jack was my boss in that way, but I was his the other way."

"That's what you call a check and balance," Jack said.

Reminiscing about those years made both laugh more than once. In addition to the hundreds of hours spent working on the yearbook, they also remember meeting at the student center, having parties at their fraternity (Lambda Chi Alpha) and sorority (Sigma Sigma Sigma) houses and attending school dances.

After graduation, Jack and Vause were married Sept. 2, 1955. They moved to Philadelphia for three years and then moved to Flushing, Mich., where they have lived for the past 41 years. Vause worked as director of speech pathology at Hurley Medical Center, while Jack taught for 32 years at the Mott Community College in Flint, Mich. He served as chairman of the social science department and later as dean of social and natural sciences.

Although Jack retired 10 years ago and Vause eight, they are still busy. Both volunteer in community service programs. Jack is active in the Episcopal church and the Diocese of Eastern Michigan. He was responsible for bringing the diocese into existence. He is also involved with the Lions Club.

"We've had some wonderful experiences," he said. "I've served in the past as president of the Whaley Children's Center, which is a home in this area for children who have been severely abused."

His fondest memory of working there is watching the children at Christmas parties and "seeing how far they've come along the line from when they've entered the center."

Vause has worked with the Hospice program and won Michigan's Hospice Volunteer of the Year award in 1996.

"That was quite an honor," she said. "It's the families and the patients who have made it, so you just become part of the family almost. It was a beautiful experience."

Vause also has worked with the Humane Society. "I primarily do what we call pet therapy, and no, I'm not a psychologist for depressed puppies," she said. Puppies are taken to the local behavioral outpatient center of a local hospital to cheer up patients.

"We take the puppies and it gives the staff as well as patients, a chance to really enjoy the animals," Vause said. "And it is good for the puppies because it helps get them socialized. Both said they believe their experiences at Marshall made volunteering such an important part of their lives.

"It has grown into what I'm doing in retirement," she said. Jack and Vause have three children and three grandchildren, but are especially proud of their furrier hooved child ­ Marco.

"We've watched Marco grow old, too," Jack said. "We didn't think we'd ever be known as the parents of a buffalo!" Vause said.

Marco made his official debut in the fall of 1965. "The Robe," an academic club, allowed its male members to take turns being Marco, setting the precedent for keeping his identity anonymous.

Marco has changed through the years. The crude costume in the 1960s was later changed to Marco in a football uniform, which led to his current look that debuted Aug. 31, 1985.

Marco also has enjoyed romance and accolades over the years. Marsha, a female mascot, was introduced in 1973 and the furry couple lasted a few years. Marco won the National Mascot Championship award in 1991. During the 1999 Homecoming festivities, several former Marcos attended a special re-union and exchanged humorous stories from their experiences.

"We hope the next 45 years are as rewarding for Marco and Marshall as the last 45 have been for us," Jack said.