SHSU Rings Up Big Numbers For 2005 Ceremony

Sam Houston State University is ringing up a successful follow-up year for its Official Ring program, doubling the numbers of class rings sold as well as Official Ring Ceremony participants from its inaugural year.

The Alumni Association estimated that approximately 350 students will participate in the Official Ring Ceremony on Thursday (April 14). The ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Austin Hall, with a reception following on the Old Main Grounds.

" We are looking forward to our second Official Ring Ceremony," said Emily deMilliano, assistant director for alumni relations. “The official ring is a new Sam Houston State University tradition but one that will carry on and bring pride to both our students and alumni."

Senior English major Shannon Stuckey will be the student speaker at the event, discussing “how applying the university motto to a student's college career can make their time more meaningful and give them greater pride in the institution,” she said.

“ Being involved with the university has made my SHSU experience wonderful and makes receiving the official class ring a very special experience,” said Stuckey, who plans on pursuing her master’s degree in counseling education from SHSU after graduating.

SHSU Balfour representative Robert Baker said looking at the numbers, the official ring program and the annual ceremony tradition is something the students were obviously ready for.

For the 2005 school year, over 984 rings have been sold to date, in comparison to the 362 orders placed in 2003, before the program was instituted.

“ The growth of Sam Houston’s ring tradition has been explosive, with a growth rate greater than most schools, which I feel is mostly due to SHSU's involvement in the ring program,” Baker said. “Students, alumni, and administration were involved in the design and implementation process from the very beginning.”

Stuckey agreed that beginning the tradition was a positive step for both the university and the students.

“ I am very happy to know the university is further embracing tradition,” she said. “The ring is a tie that binds Bearkats together, and I am very excited to share this experience with my peers.”

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held at the Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.

Students participating in the ceremony should arrive no later than 5:45 p.m., though it is also suggested that attendees arrive early, as over 990 have sent in RSVPs, according to deMilliano.

For more information, call the alumni relations office at 936.294.1841.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
April 7, 2005
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