(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.
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