(May 8, 2018) -- One of UTSA’s most memorable traditions takes place this week when almost 400 Roadrunners will receive their class rings. Before the rings arrive at UTSA, however, they make a special stop to spend a night in Texas’ most iconic landmark.
"UTSA is the only university that has rings stay at the Alamo. We’re very proud of this unique way to tie our students' accomplishments at the university to the history of San Antonio," said Kristin Ludwig, assistant vice president for alumni engagement and analytics and executive director of the UTSA Alumni Association.
The UTSA ring ceremony, which began in 2001, is a tradition of its own. Hundreds of UTSA students and alumni purchase a class ring each semester, marking a milestone in their academic careers.
In 2012, UTSA began placing the rings in the Alamo leading up to the ceremony. Each semester, UTSA alumni staff packs the rings in a secure case and takes them to the historic landmark, where they spend a night before the UTSA Official Ring Ceremony. To date, more than 4,500 UTSA class rings have been included in this special occasion.
At the UTSA Official Ring Ceremony, students and alumni learn about the history and significance of their class ring and receive a certificate authenticating the stay in the Alamo. Once the Roadrunners have received their rings, they will open their cases together and put their rings on in unison with the crest facing inward.
"The ring is a symbol of the students’ hard work and represents the accomplishments that students have experienced here,” said Ludwig, who will be on hand to present the rings this semester.
At Commencement, the newly minted graduates who have purchased rings will be called upon to turn their rings with the crest facing outward as a sign of their membership in the UTSA alumni community.
Ring recipients will participate in one of two ceremonies at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 9 in the H-E-B Student Union Ballroom (1.104) on the UTSA Main Campus.
Learn more about the UTSA ring tradition and how to order yours.
Watch the UTSA ring journey.
Learn more about the UTSA Alumni Association.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
Huddle Against Hunger is a fundraising competition with Texas State that benefits our Roadrunner Pantry. Donations this week will help UTSA earn additional prize monies provided by RBFCU.
In-Person and VirtualJoin UTSA Libraries for an update on federal public access policies and how the library can assist with compliance.
Virtual EventWe invite you to join us for Birds Up! Downtown, an exciting welcome back event designed to connect students with the different departments at the Downtown Campus. Students will have the opportunity to learn about some of the departments on campus, gain access to different resources, and collect some giveaways!
Bill Miller PlazaThere are many citation managers. Which one is right for you? This workshop will explain what a citation manager is and how it can help you organize your citations, insert citations as you write your paper, and generate your bibliography.
Virtual EventPubMed is an essential database for anyone conducting biomedical or health-related research. This workshop will teach attendees how to effectively navigate this free resource and locate peer-reviewed articles using advanced search features, MeSH subject headings, and Boolean operators.
Virtual EventIn this hands-on workshop, participants will learn to setup an EndNote library, save references and PDFs, and automatically create and edit a bibliography. Attendees are encouraged, but not required, to have EndNote already installed on a personal computer.
Virtual EventJoin UTSA Libraries and Museums to learn more about the publishing discounts available for UTSA researchers. Current agreements include Elsevier, Cambridge University Press, Wiley, and more. Bring your questions and feedback for the library as we continue to pursue partnerships with publishers to reduce costs for our researchers.
Virtual EventThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
