The rich tradition of Southeastern was celebrated with the issuing of class rings to the 2012 graduating class.  
The ceremony, which took place on April 25 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre, was a time for families, friends and students to celebrate the legacy and tradition of a Southeastern class ring.
“It means so much,” said Jacy Carpenter, a senior psychology major, “I absolutely love Southeastern. The experiences that I had here are immeasurable.”
Southeastern President John L. Crain, President of the Student Government Association Luke Holloway and Denise Plessala, a representative of the Balfour Corporation, presented the rings to each student individually.
For Carpenter, who is also the 2011 Homecoming Queen, the ring was more than just a piece of jewelry. It was the symbol of all her hard work and pride in the university.
“I’ve been extremely involved with SGA, Greek Life and Orientation and I have so much pride in my school,” said Carpenter.
The ring has special meaning within Carpenter’s family because she is the second generation to attend Southeastern.
“It means so much for my mom because my mom also went to Southeastern,” said Carpenter.
Moving on from her duties here at the university, Carpenter has been accepted to the Ill. Air National Guard as a paralegal and she will be starting law school in Chicago next fall.
Another student, Jesse Ardonne, a senior engineering technology major, also accepted a ring. For him, his ring was a symbol of pride in his university, while for his family it was a symbol of his hard work.
“We’re very proud of him,” said Ardonne’s mother Debbie Ardonne. “He’s worked so hard.”
Ardonne is currently working at Oceaneering as an intern where he will continue to work during the summer. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school at Louisiana State University.
The hour-long ceremony was followed by a small reception outside of the Student Union Theatre.