After graduation, most ETSU students part and go their separate ways, but with a custom class ring, graduates of any year will be able to recognize one another anywhere in the world.At the Spring Ring Ceremony last Thursday, ETSU President Paul Stanton presented students with their symbolic rings in the Amphitheatre.

Stanton was the recipient of the first custom ring and he spoke of the symbolism that the rings have for him and for ETSU students.

“When I look at some of the things on the ring, the two things that jump out at me are the train and ETSU pride,” Stanton said. “Through the years you are here, we’ll be forever on that train together. Each of us here today is a passenger on the ETSU Express.”

The decision to start selling the custom rings was made in hopes of starting an ETSU tradition.

“Each time you look at it [the ring] in the future, you’ll think of the good days you had at this university and the pride you will forever have and the things it means to you,” Stanton said. “Every time you here the whistle of the train, think of the future of this university.”

Stanton’s son, Ryan, was on the committee that helped design the ring two years ago.

Other features include the Amphitheatre, the ETSU seal, the mountains that surround and overlook the university and symbols of many campus buildings. Bricks and columns, prominent on almost all ETSU buildings, are elements featured on the ring and represent almost every structure on the campus from the oldest building, Carter Hall, to the new Sherrod Library.

“There is a lot of symbolism in the ring,” said Dr. Sally Lee, associate vice president for student affairs, who also spoke at the ring ceremony Thursday.

Lee said she hopes the ring will remain a symbol for graduates who purchase it.

“If you see an ETSU ring 10 years from now across the room, you’ll be able to make a connection,” she said.

The rings are available to every ETSU student who has achieved junior status. According to Lee, sales have been consistent over the two years the ring has been sold.

“Sales are pretty steady and we’re pleased with how it’s going,” Lee said. “It’s a slow process to grow the tradition, and there are other rings you can get.”

Stanton was also pleased to see the 47 students receive their ring Thursday, however he said, “I wish we had thousands of others here today receiving their rings.

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