The tradition of the Southeastern Ring Ceremony will continue as students prepare to receive their class ring.
“It’s a tradition we’ve started,” said Kathy Pittman, director of the Alumni Association. “We really don’t want to change it much because we want to carry out that tradition.”
The Alumni Association is expecting 300 guests to fill the Student Union Theater on Wednesday, May 1, with friends and family of approximately 100 seniors who will graduate at the end of the semester. The ceremony began seven years ago and continues to recognize students who have earned their degree, in addition to providing distinction between Southeastern graduates from other universities across the nation.
“When you’re able to apply for graduation then that means you’re ready to get your ring,” said Pittman. “The whole purpose of the ring is that you recognize it. Any place you go you’ll see a Southeastern graduate with that ring. That means you’ve got your degree.”
Prior to the start of the ring ceremony students were allowed to order a personalized ring including their choice of colors and symbols. With the creation of the official Southeastern ring, personalization became limited to the engravements on the ring’s interior, and the ring itself became a representation of the value of education and foundation of Southeastern.
“It’s tradition now, and it stands for Southeastern,” said Pittman. “Now on the inside of your ring you can engrave what you want; so that’s where it gets personalized.”
In addition to optional engravements, the ring ceremony allows students the opportunity to have a photo taken with the president.
“When people get their ring they take a photo with the president and that’s personalized,” said Pittman. “So that’s real special. A lot of schools don’t do that. We are very fortunate that Dr. Crain believes in participating with the students, and they get a personal photo out of it.”
For more information on the ring ceremony, contact the Alumni Association at 985-549-2150 or slualumni@selu.edu. The design of the ring can be found online at www.balfour.com.