UTSA tradition: Students participate in official ring ceremonies
(Dec. 16, 2014) -- More than 300 UTSA students received their official UTSA rings in two ceremonies Dec. 12 at the H-E-B University Center Ballroom on the Main Campus. As family and friends looked on, the students were presented with their rings.
A UTSA tradition, the rings were housed overnight in the Alamo in downtown San Antonio. Participants received their rings in a keepsake box, an exclusive for the ceremony.
The ring marks a milestone in a student's academic career, is a lasting symbol of UTSA pride and accomplishment, and is a common bond between past and future graduates.
"It was great to be surrounded by all the other Roadrunners partaking in this awesome tradition," said Abril Villarreal, a technical communications major who will graduate in May 2015. "The best moment was near the end, once we wore the ring for the first time, put our birds up and chanted U-T-S-A. I felt like that sealed the ceremony perfectly."
Newly crowned Ms. UTSA Ileana Gonzalez and Mr. UTSA Carl Willis also participated in the ceremony and shared their thoughts about the UTSA ring.
"Receiving my ring meant that I finally got to carry my UTSA legacy," said Gonzalez. "It is so much more than just a ring. It portrays generations and generations of hard work that has been put in. Receiving my UTSA ring is a blessing and a daily reminder that now and forever, I am a Roadrunner at heart."
"This UTSA ring is a confirmation to me of my alignment with the university," said Willis. "It instills in me the feeling of being a part of the UTSA family. It will always serve as a remembrance of the hard work I've put in during my collegiate career as well as the love, growth and knowledge The University of Texas at San Antonio has provided me."
The official UTSA ring program is administered by the UTSA Office of Alumni Programs through the UTSA Bookstores. Alumni, juniors and seniors who have completed 60 credit hours are eligible to participate in the ceremony.
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Events
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.