At many institutions of higher learning, getting a class ring typically involves the exciting sum total of ordering it, paying for it and receiving it by mail or picking it up.
That’s it.
Put it on, graduate and go home.
But not at The University of Alabama where legends are made.
UA students or alumni who order class rings have the option to receive their ring in a special two-part ceremony held each spring. The UA Ring Ceremony features the University’s president and other administrators along with UA’s ROTC programs and the UA Police Department.
The tradition begins at Denny Chimes.
“For 24 hours these rings, which are official UA class rings that have already been purchased by students but haven’t been distributed to them yet, are placed inside of our beloved Denny Chimes,” said David Cowdery, associate director of the University Supply Store.
On April 3, chimes will sound at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Alma Mater. The Army ROTC will place a big mahogany box of nearly 500 rings inside the 115-foot tall, 90-year-old bell tower at 6:31 p.m. The time of day is significant because 6:31 p.m. is 18:31 in military time, and 1831 is the year the University was founded.
“Denny Chimes will be locked and UPAD will guard the rings overnight,” Cowdery said.
In those 24 hours that the rings wait inside of Denny Chimes, they become “infused with the UA spirit,” he said.
Then on April 4 at 6:15 p.m. at Sellers Auditorium in the Bryant Conference Center, the second part of the official ring ceremony will ensue. Students, parents, family members and other guests, all dressed in business attire, await the arrival of the rings for the presentation ceremony.
The chimes will sound at 6:30 p.m. and the Air Force ROTC will retrieve the rings from Denny Chimes at precisely 6:31 p.m. UAPD will transport the box of rings to the conference center and the Air Force ROTC will march them in.
Dr. Jamie Riley, the new assistant vice president for student life and dean of students, will speak on the traditions and symbols of the official class ring.
The master of ceremonies, Dr. Robert Hayes III, who is interim associate dean and director for academic outreach for Bama by Distance, will welcome students and announce their name, hometown and degree as they walk across the stage.
UA President Dr. Stuart Bell will then present the rings to each individual student.
Photos from the ceremony will be available at https://www.facebook.com/SUPeStore/.
A reception will immediately follow the ceremony in the Sellers lobby.
Parking will be available at Coleman Coliseum and the soccer lot with UA buses transporting back and forth to Bryant Conference Center from 5-9 p.m.