Class ring ceremony to take place family weekend
Juniors and seniors are invited to buy rings before July to
participate
Leigh Ann Vanscoy / Features
Editor
Juniors and seniors are urged to buy their class rings, so
that they can participate in a ceremony held in October,
2005.
“Everyone who purchases a ring by the end of July is
invited to participate,” Jana Lynn Patterson, the
associate dean of
Students and adviser to the Student Government Association,
said. “The ceremony will be brief but reverent.”
Students will be awarded their rings by President Leo
Lambert.
The celebration will take place during Family Weekend and
the recipients will be able to invite their family to
experience the ceremony with them. “It is another great
tradition put together for students to feel even more
connected to the Elon community,” said Carson Foushee,
president of the junior class.
The ceremony’s tone will be both meaningful and
special for the participants. “It is a special ceremony
where juniors and seniors start their transition from Elon
undergraduate student to illustrious Elon alumni,”
Foushee said.
The ring ceremony changed dramatically in 2001 after the
transition from Elon College to Elon University. It was then
that the student body and administration commissioned Jostens
to create new official rings. “The rings were designed
to commemorate the traditions which make Elon special,”
said Caitlin Burke, junior class senator.
Two distinctive tops were designed. The rounded signet bears
an oak leaf emblazoned with and “E.” The second
top option showcases the university seal set in a horizontal
style.
The side options for the rings are interchangeable and they
depict Elon’s distinct qualities. The different
selections can be found on the Josten’s web site. Each
student picks two sides for their ring.
Why should juniors and seniors buy a ring?
“A high school ring is something special for many
people, but a ring from Elon is something that will allow you
to look down at your finger from time to time and remember
the great friends and memories from this special
place,” Foushee said.
The idea of the ring’s purpose is to remember your
college experience and to look forward to your future as
alumni. “The Elon ring is a symbol of their life-long
connection to Elon and it begins the transition to the ranks
of distinguished Elon alumni,” Patterson said.
The junior Student Government Association officers are
organizing the event. They want to extend the invitation to
anyone interested in purchasing a class ring.
They worry that not enough students know about the event.
“The ring ceremony is something that not everyone knows
about, but should certainly participate in,” Forshee
said. “I believe that purchasing a ring and
participating in the ring
ceremony shows true commitment to Elon and readiness to take
what you have learned here out to the rest of the
world.”
The ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 in Yeager
Recital Hall. Students interested in buying a ring are
encouraged to stop by the Student Government office for more
information.
Contact Leigh Ann Vanscoy at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247. | 
