Ring Ceremony
One of the College’s oldest traditions
Ring Ceremony Draws Record Crowd to Sottile Theatre
More than 270 juniors and seniors received their official College of Charleston ring last night in a poignant ceremony at the College’s Sottile Theatre on George Street. Family members, College faculty, staff and Alumni Association officials filled the theater to witness one of the College’s most popular traditions.
Highlights from the evening included a moving speech by Executive Secretary Emeritus of the Alumni Association, Tony Meyer ‘49 about the significance of the ring. He also asked students to answer for themselves: “What will the ring mean to you?” as they graduate and move through their lives as alumni. Karen Jones ’74, Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association provided a tribute to Pierrine Smith Byrd ’22, the first female graduate of the College. The official ring of the College of Charleston was adopted in 1995 and was based upon the rings donated to the College by Pierrine and her husband, George Byrd’ 21.
Students received their rings from Gregory D. Padgett’ 79, chair of the College of Charleston Board of Trustees. Jack Huguley ‘72, director of Alumni Relations also assisted in the presentation of the rings.
The College of Charleston ring, provided by Balfour, provides a timeless connection between alumni of the College of Charleston.
RING CEREMONY TRADITION
The Alumni Association hosts an annual ring ceremony in early December to honor the College of Charleston students who buy an official College of Charleston ring. Each ring displays the College of Charleston Seal and is engraved with the initials, degree and class year. A pendant necklace is also available. It is the College of Charleston Seal and can be engraved on the back with the initials, degree and class year.
What is the College Seal and what does it mean?
The seal of the College of Charleston is derived from the City of Charleston's seal, which was adopted in 1783. The College's seal was approved by the Board of Trustees in 1843 and features the Latin phrases meaning, "Wisdom Itself Is Liberty" and "She watches over her buildings, her customs and her laws." The woman seated holding the scepter is described as a personification of Charleston herself, and evokes an image of the city deriving its livelihood from the sea and prepared to defend itself. She is shown presenting a laurel wreath to a young man holding a diploma in front of a classroom building.
Each year The College of Charleston receives several thousand applications for admission from around the world. Of those highly qualified applicants, only a very select group is admitted for enrollment and, in time, meets the requirements to receive their degrees. Those who remain on track to achieve that goal can be deservedly proud.
I am pleased to inform you of the one symbol that truly recognizes that accomplishment — The Official College of Charleston Class Ring. Information about the Official Ring is being sent to qualified students as well as graduates.
Our ring pictured within this announcement is unique. This is the only ring officially recognized by the College. The design of the Official Ring will not change — it is the one common bond between those who have graduated in the past and those who will graduate this year and in years to come. It is reserved exclusively for those students who have completed at least 60 credit hours and have achieved junior or senior year standing. The inside of the ring may be personalized by engraving the recipient’s name or initials, up to 18 characters.
Balfour, the ring supplier, offers several choices of gold and non-precious metals. Please contact Balfour for availability of metals not listed in this brochure. Balfour provides an interest-free monthly installment plan and guarantees your satisfaction. Your purchase is protected by a limited lifetime warranty that also includes free resizing, cleaning and polishing.
I invite you to be a part of the tradition.
Order Your Ring Today!
Cordially,
Karen B. Jones, '74
Executive Secretary
Alumni Association