Ring Day 2013

What defines a college in the United States differs campus to campus. Each has its own special characteristics and qualities that attract new students each year. Texas A&M University is one college that, because of its history, is based solidly on tradition and campus unity. One tradition that is striven for by every student at Texas A&M is to participate and receive an Aggie Ring. This symbol of the university links all Aggies, current students and formers, together because of what it represents.

The ring as we know it today was designed in 1894 by E.C. Jonas. On top of the ring, a large eagle and shield are displayed representing the desire to protect the reputation of the university and the agility and power each Aggie possesses in order to reach new heights. On the shield thirteen stripes stand out symbolizing the thirteen original colonies. Above the stripes five stars shine out in representation of the five phases of development every Aggie experiences: mind/intellect, body, spiritual attainment, emotional poise, and integrity of character. On one side of the ring, a large star is engraved representing the Seal of Texas. This star represents the desire for peace and the strength each student possesses to fight for country and state. This ideal is heavily engrained into the Aggie identity because of the strong ties Texas A&M has with the military. On the opposite side of the ring a saber, cannon, and rifle lie symbolizing how Texas fought for their land. The saber stands for valor and confidence, while the cannon and rifle represent the steadfast preparedness and defense Texas and the US will always have. Along with all of these meaningful symbols lies the graduate's class year binding them together as a whole.

However, the symbols are not what make the Aggie Ring so valuable. While, yes, the symbols do have deep and powerful meaning, the ring is what links the student body together as a whole. After students graduate and go off to continue their life, the Aggie ring will identify them as a member of the upstanding university. If an Aggie sees another person wearing an Aggie ring, there is an instant connection. Class year does not matter. The link stems from the experiences all former students lived through while attending the university. Instant camaraderie is had when two Aggies, strangers or friends, meet. The ring is what brings them together.

So on this day, April 12, 2013, Aggie Ring Day 2013, a new group of Aggie students will be given their rings that represent more than what traditional symbols stand for. The rings given out today will represent the hard work each student has completed in their last years of college. Ernest Hemingway once said, "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end." So students, as you get these gold rings representing your collegiate accomplishment, remember everything you were taught so that when you go into the future you will achieve everything you ever imagined.