Ringing In A New Tradition

The Sam Houston State Alumni Association and the University Bookstore are teaming up to ‘ring’ in several new university traditions this year evolving around the establishment of a new and official SHSU class ring.
    
The ring will be unveiled at halftime during the Homecoming football game on Nov. 8.

“What we wanted to do is make a ring one official design that will elicit memories of events and traditions at Sam Houston State,” said Kevin Hayes, director of Alumni Relations and co-chair of the university official ring committee. “We wanted it to be a symbol that would be instantly recognized. Our goal with this design, is that if you’re sitting 10 feet away, that you could look and say, ‘That’s a Sam Houston ring.’”

The official ring committee, assembled under vice president for student services Thelma Douglass, was comprised of students, faculty, staff and alumni and was charged with creating a single, official design for a SHSU class ring. With the official design, students will have the option to add diamonds to the ring’s face and to include an engraving on the inside of the ring.

“The ring is really sharp. It took us awhile to agree, and everyone might not like the design, but Bearkats are going to have to remember, you can't please everyone. So we tried to come up with a design that has meaning and incorporates some of the basic foundations of the university,” said senior Brian VanDelist, who served on the committee. “To me, this ring will mean that I can be recognized as a Sam graduate to people in the business world and be part of a strong, enduring tradition.”

Alumnus and member of the Alumni Association board of directors George Miles agreed.

"I've participated on many university projects and committees over years, but by far, I've derived greater pleasure as a participant on the official ring committee than any of the others,” Miles said. “We believe our design is so distinctive and unlike anything else, that students and graduates will be very proud to wear it."

The ring will be reserved exclusively for students who have successfully met the university ring standards, which includes showing proof of having completed at least 75 credit hours toward a degree.

After purchasing the ring during ‘Ring Order Days’ in the fall, the first of which will begin on Nov. 10, the Monday after the ring design is unveiled, students will have the opportunity to participate in a ring ceremony to be conducted each spring.

“At this time, their ring is presented to them in a formal ceremony, where family is invited by the president of the university. That’s becoming very popular because it starts new traditions,” Hayes said. “Stephen F. Austin, for example, when they have their ring ceremony, you get your ring and the tradition is you dip your hand in purple dye. UT-SA has a ceremony where the ring is presented by the president.”

The first ring ceremony, to be held on the steps of Austin Hall, will coincide with the 125th anniversary of the university and will be one of the major events of the celebration, Hayes said.

“People will line up in the pit of Old Main and as their name is called, they will come and get their official ring that will be given in a nice commemorative, wooden box,” Hayes said. “This goes in line with what (university president) Dr. (James) Gaertner wants. He has made requests to revisit old traditions and even start new traditions.

“This new tradition, we think will be very successful, because 25 percent our students, as reported to us, are currently buying rings, which is a very, very good number. That is higher than the national average,” he said. “But they’re buying just a menu of choice, so we feel like this new tradition will increase ring sales and student participation to over 50 percent within the first two years, highlighted, of course, by the ceremony.”
    
VanDelist said he believes students will accept the ring because of a desire to take part in some sort of tradition, “which unfortunately Sam is lacking in.

“I think the students will be very receptive, and I hope it will help to foster a curiosity and sense of pride in the history of the university,” he said. “I think the official ring is important to the university because I believe it will give students of all majors, activities and years a symbol of unity to identify with.”

- END -

SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Sept. 11, 2003
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu