Inaugural ceremony to give 183 rings to students
Jennifer Gessner
Issue date: 4/22/04 Section: Campus News
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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.
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.