Undergraduate College Ring

I just got my undergraduate college ring in the mail today. It's a beaut.



It is 14k gold and is made by Jostens. It's heavy.

I posted a thread about it a long time ago, but it's expired.

 

I'm wearing it like a badge, just like my dad wore his.

My police badge cost $45.00, but my gold college ring cost $610.00!

You can have the police badge and I'll keep the college ring!

 

fascinated!

As a Brit, I've always been fascinated by the tradition of US graduates wearing these huge college rings. Generally speaking, it is something quite peculiar to the USA. This is a serious question. Why do you think these rings are so important, especially when, to me at any rate, so many of them look so gaudy and brash?

When I think back to my own college days it was the college and/or long university scarf that mattered and/or perhaps wearing a blazer with the college/university crest on the pocket and perhaps also the college/university tie. The tie really matters (even now) in the UK! You could tell which institution someone was at purely by looking at the scarf. Same is true today if you are into college/instituional,school ties! If you are also 'in the know' the same has always been true for academic robes (hood and gown). Each university in the UK has its own design, many modelled on the Oxford and Cambridge robe designs. Someone who has studied academic robes will be able to tell you, at a glance, the degree, and university from which it has been earned, simply by looking at the academic dress being worn by a particular person. Sometimes it can get a little confusing because some of the older universities virtually copied the Oxbridge robes and you have to look carefully to see where the 'small' difference occurs. One example, Univertsity of Liverpool adopted the Cambridge pattern and all undergraduates and graduates wear the same gown (the Cambridge MA gown, even for bachelor level degree holders!).

Just an aside!

telfax

 

During the seven years we did marketing stuff for the Heriot-Watt University MBA program in America, it became clear that American students wanted a school ring (which, of course, did not exist). The university was bemusedly willing to go along -- but because it involved use of the university coat of arms, it needed approval of the Royal Herald of Scotland, which was a two-year process. But finally the large and ornate item was created. I dearly wish I had a photo of the face of the director of the business school when we presented him with his own ring.

American students also wanted to know what was the university's mascot or team name. As tempting as it was to say, "The Heriot Watt Fighting Haggises," we simply told them there was none.

 

LOL

 

Imprinting?

It’s purely a cultural thing (American at that).

As a child, when my father took me to work, I used to see the other men with those GIANT college rings on their fingers. It made a unique and everlasting impression that has been indelibly imprinted on my mind.

Now, as an adult, I am wearing a GIANT college ring on my finger. I’m sure that it makes a unique and everlasting impression on the minds of younger children, which may be indelibly imprinted on their minds.

And the tradition carries on...

 

Re: fascinated!

The truth of the matter Telefax is that so many people wear them that they hardly get noticed. You have to be practically kissing someones hand to tell what the ring says. People buy them for High school graduation, lower enlisted buy them in the army with the military or branch insignia, and then of course you get them for college graduation. I am with you, I would much rather simply wear a school tie.

As an aside, graduates of West Point Military Academy were called "ring knockers" in the army.

North

 

Re: Re: fascinated!

Prior to my father's death, he was a "ring knocker."

My step-father graduated from an itty bitty college (North Carolina State University), but he too wore a gawdy ring for many years. However, I noticed that after he began rising through the military ranks, he quit wearing his college ring.

As a three-star general, I never saw him wearing it. I guess he didn't need it anymore.

 

Badge of Authority!

My ring is just so beautiful!

 

Hey, congrats to ya, and that's a nice ring!
I hope to get one one day, too!

Starkman

 

When will I grow up ?

I know for a fact that people are noticing it because people ordinarily never look at my hands, but now that the ring is there, I catch them glancing down in the direction of the ring!

Heh Heh Heh

 

Re: Re: fascinated!

Graduates of the Naval Academy were called the same also, meaning that they are always knocking their rings to get people to notice them (the rings). Upon noticing them, you also notice that they are not regular officers, but rather special officers who are better because they graduated from a servie academy.

 

moooo

Wow, I posted this thread so long ago. But I thought I'd resurrect it so you can see the beautiful-style of ring that I'm still wearing.

 

Took me 7 or 8 months but you don't appear to acually have a degree from the University of Minnesota.

Enjoy your ring, but why not Harvard?

 

LOL. I thought the same thing (thought you went to International College)!

BR,
Bill

 

There's a very nice jeweler in Texas named John Christian that specializes in gold rings emblazoned with a family crest. Essentially, they'll make any ring you want for about $750. I suppose that if you showed up with a crest from some university they'd be happy to accomodate you. I believe they can be found at http://www.ringbox.com
I wonder if they'll give me a discount now
Jack

 

I do not use the title Dr. but I do were two class rings. My wife gave me a ring when I got my master's degree and a ring when I got my doctorate. I have such fond memories of both schools I happily wear the rings. They are beautiful and give me some personal pride. I do not "knock them", but they are often noticed and it gives me a chance to talk abbut the schools, not necessarily the degrees. Regardless, because the were a gift from my beautiful bride (of more than 25 years), I rarely take them off! She was proud of me, And I am proud to were them.

 

I wonder if Rev McIlvenna's sex institute (Nipsnick accredited!) has class rings;
if so, where do they wear 'em?

 

Yeaa, their cool.

Yes Yes Yes, you are both correct: I didn't graduate from the University of Minnesota. The picture comes from Josten's website, but that is the style of ring that I wear.

It's cool looking, isn't it?!?! I still wear it with pride.

 

My Ph.D. from Trinity College/University cost $600. Do you mean the class ring is going to cost more than my degree?