Sam Houston State University will hold it's first inaugural ring ceremony this evening at 6 p.m. on the steps of Austin Hall and the Old Main Pit.
The new tradition was first introduced last fall with the official ring unveiling. The ring ceremony will take place every year in the spring. The first ring ceremony was planned to take place during the 125th anniversary celebration.
President Gaertner and Dr. Thelma Douglass, vice president of Student Services, will first address the students at the ceremony. A trumpet fanfare will then take place, followed by President Gaertner presenting each student with his or her ring. Letters were sent to parents of the students who will be participating in the ceremony. The response totaled 565 people attending the event. The number does not include the community, any of the SHSU faculty and staff or the alumni association board of directors; only students and their families.
Kevin Hayes, the director of alumni relations, wants the SHSU community to know that everyone should feel free to come to the ceremony. "We do encourage and hope that the university community will come to the ceremony," said Hayes. "Just because they are not getting a ring doesn't mean they can't attend."
Chrissy Price, the event coordinator for alumni relations, explained that the ceremony will be a historical event. "Balfour said this is one of the largest kickoffs they have ever seen (for a ring)," said Price.
A total of 277 rings have been purchased since the unveiling, and as of yesterday afternoon, 183 of those rings will be presented at the ring ceremony.
"This ring ceremony is the only one that we have opened to alums," said Price. The alums that have bought their ring or traded it in have the opportunity to participate in today's ceremony. She also mentioned that alums who wish to trade out their old rings may do so up through November of this year. Next year, the ring ceremony will be reserved for current students only.
A reception will follow the ceremony in the Old Main Pit. Students will have the opportunity to purchase a photo of them receiving his or her ring. Also, a group photo will be taken of all students who participated in the first ring ceremony.
George Miles, a member of the ring design committee and an SHSU alumnus, said the ring ceremony will be a historical event. "Tomorrow night will be a very historical event. It is the first time we have presented the ring to students and [is] the first ring ceremony," said Miles.
He has participated on numerous committees at the university for various reasons, but this committee was different. "This committee was special because of its historical significance," said Miles. "We created a design that will hopefully last for 50 to 75 years from now."
Miles said he enjoyed working on the committee comprising students, alumni and faculty and that they feel they have achieved their goals with the design. "We wanted a design that would stand the test of time," Miles said.
In regard to the ring ceremony, Miles said, "We hope that not only the students, but also their family, friends and guests leave the ceremony and are moved by what they've seen."
Be the first to comment on this article!