Order of Ivorites
In 2006 the Foundation revived the honorary Ivorite award. It recognizes individuals and institutions whose activities bring honor to the overall Welsh tradition and heritage, especially activities exemplifying the motto of the first Ivorites: Friendship, Love, and Truth. Learn more...
Dr. Evans W. Paschal joins the Order of Ivorites
Evans became part of (hooked if you like) the Welsh Scene in North America after his attendance at the 1994 National Gymanfa Ganu in Bellevue Washington, his hometown. He joined the Seattle Welsh Choir and The Puget Sound Welsh Association and contributed much to the Seattle area Welsh. Later he became a member of the North American Welsh Choir and can be found in the bass section at local and national cymanfoedd.
Before joining the Welsh North American Association board of trustees, he volunteered to use his computer and editing skills to compile the Festival of Wales brochure for printer-ready copy. As a board member, he has been one of the “behind the scenes, but incredibly valuable” assets to the organization. Lending his time to design and generate pamphlets, edit videos, and other imagery for advertising and promotional materials. His production of audio recordings of the National Gymanfa Ganu as well as the WNAA e-hymnal are all thanks to his technical talents. His most visible contributions are for his work creating publications and promotional materials featuring the ”New” logo of North American Festival of Wales which was first unveiled in 2003 in Richmond, BC, a branding that has been the modern trademark of the NAFOW for 20 years, additionally he recrafted the North America Wales Foundation logo with stars and maple leaves to better represent the organization today. So you may well ask Who is Evans Paschal? He is a BS graduate of Reed College Oregon with a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. For many years he worked in Antarctica at the Siple Station and the Byrd Station studying atmospheric radio signals. He also undertook research at the Space, Telecommunications, and Radioscience Laboratory at Stanford University and upon retirement continued to consult and develop equipment for atmospheric research in Antarctica. As Scientific Leader at Byrd Station in 1970, he received the accolade of having an Antarctic Glacier named after him, the Paschal Glacier. This award is a tribute to a remarkably talented person whose modesty has kept his life story unknown to most of us. The Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites in Wales and North America.
In 2006 the Foundation revived the honorary Ivorite award. It recognizes individuals and institutions whose activities bring honor to the overall Welsh tradition and heritage, especially activities exemplifying the motto of the first Ivorites: Friendship, Love, and Truth. |
Order of Ivorites recipients: (incomplete list) 2004 Nelson Llewelyn 2004 Alfred J. Reese 2005 Olwen Joyce Anderson 2007 Douglas Bassett 2007 Wilfred O. Greenway 2008 Alan Upshall 2009 Rev. Richard Baskwill 2009 Lorena Bennett 2009 Jack Owen 2009 John Prytherch 2009 William Reese 2009 John Reinhart 2009 Dale Richards 2009 Dave Williams 2010 Jeanne Jones Jindra 2010 Catrin Brace 2012 Carole Ellis 2012 Sian Frick 2012 Bryan Jones 2012 Cindy Roser 2012 Warren Watkins 2013 Don Robinson 2013 Tom Sandler 2013 Bill Van Buskirk 2019 Bill Griffiths 2020 Jonathan Morgan 2021 The Saint David's Society of Utica NY 2022 Gerri Baker Parry 2022 Jon Roper 2024 Evans Paschal |
The order, known originally as “The Philanthropic Order of True Ivorites.” was established in Wrexham, Wales in 1836 by Thomas Robert Jones (“Gwerfulyn,” 1802-1856). The Ivorites were named after Ifor Hael (Ivor the Generous) who was the patron of Dafydd ap Gwilym, the fourteenth-century poet. They had firm rules for its members regarding morals and
behavior and also nurtured the Welsh language. The Order of Ivorites did a great deal towards the fostering of Welsh literature by giving eisteddfod prizes and holding events to encourage and showcase native talent. The Ivorites’ interest centered on the development of Welsh intellectual and moral character, as well as social improvement.
In America, Benjamin Hughes (1824-1900) took such sentiments to heart. He became one of the most important figures in the history of Scranton, Pennsylvania’s Hyde Park section. Hughes was thought of as the father of the American Ivorites, credited with organizing their society in Scranton and was its first American grand president. To all who knew him, he
was “more father than friend” admired for his exceptional executive ability and foresight. Thousands profited from his benevolence.
Although no active lodges exist today, local lodges of the Order of Ivorites were actively working throughout the United States into the late 1900s. With the establishment of this honorary Ivorite Award, the North America Wales Foundation commemorates and pays homage to the ideals of our Welsh forebears and seeks to foster that same spirit in our
own time.
(Adapted from a 2006 report by William VanBuskirk, who with our President-elect John Jones Reinhart, revived the Ivorite tradition.)
behavior and also nurtured the Welsh language. The Order of Ivorites did a great deal towards the fostering of Welsh literature by giving eisteddfod prizes and holding events to encourage and showcase native talent. The Ivorites’ interest centered on the development of Welsh intellectual and moral character, as well as social improvement.
In America, Benjamin Hughes (1824-1900) took such sentiments to heart. He became one of the most important figures in the history of Scranton, Pennsylvania’s Hyde Park section. Hughes was thought of as the father of the American Ivorites, credited with organizing their society in Scranton and was its first American grand president. To all who knew him, he
was “more father than friend” admired for his exceptional executive ability and foresight. Thousands profited from his benevolence.
Although no active lodges exist today, local lodges of the Order of Ivorites were actively working throughout the United States into the late 1900s. With the establishment of this honorary Ivorite Award, the North America Wales Foundation commemorates and pays homage to the ideals of our Welsh forebears and seeks to foster that same spirit in our
own time.
(Adapted from a 2006 report by William VanBuskirk, who with our President-elect John Jones Reinhart, revived the Ivorite tradition.)