I'm curious, I don't have a high school class ring, much less a class ring from undergrad. Can someone explain what the significance of the Ag ring is?

This is another one of those A&M traditions that I just don't get. But I'm interested to learn.

By the way, I appreciate earnest responses. I started a similar thread about the bonfire a month or so ago and it was very informative.


***Edit -- I understand the pride in the University. As an outsider I just don't really comprehend why a ring. It makes a little more sense now. Thanks for the responses.

At Arkansas the closest thing we have is the senior walk. Every graduate has our name engraved in the sidewalk on campus. I do feel a sense of pride when I see my name on the walk though. I guess each school just has its own thing.

[This message has been edited by UA01Duke05 (edited 10/4/2011 3:59p).]

Short answer: Same reason Jews wear yamakas.

I'll be honest--the main reason I wanted one was because my dad used to let me wear his from time to time when I was younger. To me it was always the mark of a true Aggie.

Biggest advantage to wearing the ring is its instantly recognizable. Can easily spot an Aggie in a crowd when they're wearing their ring, and it's lead to quite a few random meetings far from Aggieland. One of my favorite traditions.

Probably the most significant value of the Aggie ring for former students is to publicly identify yourself as a member of the Aggie family, which is very important to Ags. Getting your ring is a very signiicant event for Aggie students. ~90% of all A&M graduates get rings.

I have only had a ring for 3 years, and have had countless random conversations with other Aggies who noticed my ring.

[This message has been edited by FlyFisher09 (edited 10/4/2011 3:11p).]

I only got one because most aggies seem to think it's a big deal.

Specifically why a ring over an alumni association license plate or an A&M polo shirt?

I could be wrong, but I would guess that 15% of Arkansas grads have rings. It never even crossed my mind to buy one.

Is there a specific story behind the ring?

Part of our Aggie family mentality. We are never ex-students, we are former students. Once an Aggie always an Aggie. Even when you die, the next Aggie muster, your name will be called out, and another Ag will answer, "Here!" for you because you cannot.

The ring is a symbol to the world that you are a Texas Aggie. Many men wear their Aggie ring on their left hand, instead of a wedding ring. My Dad did. I'm 52, and an old dame, but I still wear my Aggie ring on my right hand every day. A fellow Ag recognizes that ring immediately.

____________________________________________________
Aggie by birth, Hawg by marriage! And a Grand Ol' Dame.

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The most visible way for graduates of Texas A&M to recognize each other is by the Aggie Ring.[3] The Aggie Ring is worn by current and former students, and may be used to distinguish seniors from other students on campus. The first Aggie Ring was designed by E. C. Jonas in 1894, and the design has remained relatively unchanged since; the only major change came when the school's name was changed from the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1963.[16]

The Aggie Ring cannot be purchased unless specific requirements are met: a current student must be in good standing with a minimum 2.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale. In addition, the student must have completed 90 hours of coursework, including at least 45 hours at A&M. Graduate students may receive a ring after 75% of their graduate coursework is completed or after the acceptance of their dissertation or thesis. Graduates of the university, either undergraduate or graduate, who do not meet these minimum criteria while pursuing their degree, may purchase the ring after their graduation.

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It's a badass ring. We're proud of our school. It identifies other Aggies. All military schools' alumni wear rings. Quite a few other schools do as well.



[This message has been edited by 7thGenTexan (edited 10/4/2011 3:15p).]

yarmulke

It's not at all like a highschool ring. You can't just walk into any jewelry store and have one made, however you want. The only customization done is your class year, and your name engraved on the inside. And you have to meet certain requirements before you can order it.

And as others have said, it's the best way to recognize another aggie. I can't tell you how many times I've had an Aggie approach me in an airport, across a conference hall, etc because they can see my ring. It's an instant connection.

Agree with AggieHawg.
To me it's like a family thing. It's something you earn after completing enough hours. It's like that final step before graduation. It isn't something you can just show up on campus and get, like a polo or car plate. I can't wear a polo 7 days out of the week (and I'm not buying 7 of them to be able to do so) and my car plate would stay on my car. What happens when I go inside the store or to the airport? I WANT people to know I'm an Ag.
Unfortunately, even at 14 karat, I'm alergic to my ring so I have to make sure I don't wear it too often.
But you betcha that it's on my finger for the important things!

I can't speak for everyone, but I don't look good wearing a license plate on my hand.

To me my ring is more important than even my diploma.... I was WAY more excited to get my ring than walk the stage at graduation.

As others have stated you have to meet the requirements to get one and its a huge event when you do (search for photos of ring day and see the crowds and then the ring dunking party afterwards).

[This message has been edited by jagouar1 (edited 10/4/2011 3:25p).]

A ring identifies you as an Aggie. Its lets you easily identify other Aggies.

It separates you from the run of the mill "t-shirt" fan. Anyone can buy a shirt or license plate. I wear my ring all the time.

"There's a force in the universe that makes things happen; all you have to do is get in touch with it. Stop thinking...let things happen...and be...the ball."

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Unfortunately, even at 14 karat, I'm alergic to my ring so I have to make sure I don't wear it too often.

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Don't they offer a white gold ring for those who are allergic?

Aggies, except for several who claim to be Aggies on these boards, are proud to be an alumnus of the best school in the world. We can't walk around with a diploma around our necks, but we can wear our rings.

It sets us apart from everyone else. Most schools look at a class ring as just another high school ring. In fact, with a few exceptions, it looks like a high school ring. A little bigger, perhaps, but just a piece of gold with a colored stone on it. Ours is very unique and recognizable from afar. I've had other Aggies come up to me all over the world and introduce themselves once they see my ring. When this happens, it's like seeing an old friend, even though you never met them before.

Aggies look at their ring as a symbol of the most important achievment of their lives. Some will go on and get master's and doctorates at other places, but you can be damn sure that all who love A&M will wear their Aggie ring until they die. I will.

ham- Yes and I have a friend who has the white gold. There's even another metal they're using now (can't remember what it is, but wasn't available when I ordered mine spring 2010). I've always been alergic to everything. White/gold. Stainless steel is about the only thing I've never reacted to.
I usually wear mine 8-5 while at work, and if we go out. Hanging around the house/sleeping it'll be on my dresser.

It is a tie into the military school thing: the Citadel, VMI, the service academies, etc. all do it. What sets it apart is that you MUST be an Aggie to own one of your own. Many of us have great memories of old ags who's rings were worn down to the nub by the end of their lifetimes, but still as important to them as the day they got them.

And to Jumpag, you might contact Balfor; they may be able to make you a ring out of silver or another non-gold material as wearing gold is generally frowned upon in Islamic countries and they make them special for A&M Qatar grads.

I know I already posted in this thread, but I just wanted to say that if I had to name my most cherished Aggie memoriabilia, it'd have to be my Corps Senior boots and my Aggie ring--lot of blood, sweat, and tears to into earning those items. They mean far more than anything you can just buy at any store, IMHO.

JumpinAg--I am also allergic to my ring. You, like many people, are probably allergic to the nickel in the ring. Even 24k gold contains a small amount of nickel when formed into jewelry--pure gold would not retain its shape.

Anyway, I coat the inside of my ring with a "nickel protector," which is basically just clear nail polish. Works like a charm! I usually put on a coat every year or so. It keeps me proudly wearing my ring every day.

My ring is white gold. Both white and yellow gold contain nickel, regardless of the karats.

Not trying to hijack this good thread.

[This message has been edited by ConLaw (edited 10/4/2011 3:30p).]

Plenty of nickel in stainless steel, which he doesn't have a problem with.

As many others have said, it makes you easily identifiable as an Aggie. I don't have a closet full of Aggie polos and when I get out of my car I'm no longer recognizable from my former student sticker.

Since all Aggie rings look almost exactly alike (you can choose whether it is antiqued or not), they're easy to spot. It isn't like a high school ring where you have an emblem from your favorite activity on the side of it. Mine looks exactly like my dad's except mine says '05 and his says '75 (and his has 30 more years of wear on it).

The military academy ring is probably a good comparison.

AJ, shouldn't you be working?

basically our ring is one of those long-standing traditions that has remained consistent throughout the years. its design has only been changed once in the 1960s when Texas AMC became Texas A&M and you the only "customization" (and i use that term loosely) you can get is the name on the inside and the class year (you can also choose between antiqued and natural finishes, and some choose to have a small diamond on the crest). and you have to be verified to have 90 hours of credit, at least 45 of which have to come from A&M (used to be 95 hours).

it's also chock full of symbolism, the most notable being the 5 stars on the crest of the shield on top, which represent the 5 stages of development that all Aggies go through:
1. Mind
2. Body
3. Spirit
4. Emotional poise
5. Integrity of character

the Aggie Ring is one of the defining characteristics of the Aggie Network, an international group of hundreds of thousands of former students (NOT former Aggies) that will instantly have a sense of camaraderie and fellowship

it's really tough to describe outside of the above attempt, just know that it's a big deal for Ags and always has been. on Ring Day (twice in the Fall and once in the Spring) there will be thousands of students gathered around the Association of Former Students building on campus for hours to get their ring and celebrate with friends and family. it's an overall great time and a rite of passage for any Aggie

[This message has been edited by unicyclist_ag (edited 10/4/2011 3:33p).]

http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/

SWCBonfire (also not trying to steal!)-
I'm okay with only wearing it for limited occasions. I don't like the silver/non-gold idea (with the exception of religous reasons) because it's always been gold up until the last few years. I'll gladly take the tradition and recognition of the gold and have to take it off at night than for someone to think I went to another university.
edit: Just saw the nickle comment and I don't think it's nickle I'm allergic to but one of the other metals. I've worn "nickle free" jewelry before (in hopes that it was the nickle causing the allergies) and it actually was worse than the "normal" jewelry.

My family didn't understand the idea of the Aggie Ring (much less making a whole day devoted to the shenanigans and the ridiculous price of them) until I got mine. My parents kept saying they could give me the $500+ to spend on something else (my horse) if I'd rather have the cash. My brother made fun of how I had to put it on (after he tried to put it back on for me and put it on the wrong way) until he understood.

It's just one of those things...

[This message has been edited by JumpinAg (edited 10/4/2011 3:36p).]

Youll hear stories about former students wearing their rings in world war two, or see pictures of current soldiers with theirs in Afganistan or elsewhere. I was in Istanbul, Turkey over the summer and from across a courtyard a guy walks up and without missing a beat introduces himself as class of '82. There a thousand stories like that, and all of them add to the mystique.

As for reasons underclassmen get their rings (with a $1000+ price tag these days) it's probably got something to do with the fact that they see everyone older than them wearing one. And then theres ring dunks. And then there's ring dance. And then there's the little practice ability to open beer bottles with your ring hand.

It's a tangible representation of the pride Aggies have in their school. not lessened by the fact that, for a ring, they're pretty badass looking.

It's not a silly question
I applaud the OP for trying to educate yourself.
I will be be wearing mine in my grave

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Plenty of nickel in stainless steel, which he doesn't have a problem with.

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A coat of clear nail polish (on the inside, of course) would probably help regardless of the specific metal that he is allergic to.

Among the things that others have pointed out here, it also (to me anyway) holds such a significance - moreso with past generations than even when I was in school - as a right of passage.

Back when A&M was mandatory Corps and far more military oriented, it was a signal that you had endured with your classmates all of the trials of being a student at A&M. Today is much different than yesteryear, where everybody was once a fish, Pisshead, etc. and went through the Corps as a standard before graduation.

To make a poor comparison, I would liken the roots of importance to an airborne trooper getting their wings or getting your Trident after completing BUDS. It was a symbol that you had completed the course, when many times it would have been easier to quit, and it was a goal that often helped students along to walking across the stage.

Combine that with the fact that A&M was the "poor man's" college in Texas for a long time, it was also special to not only reach the point of being eligible for one, but to be able to afford it as well.

Like many other things at A&M, the tradition started a long time ago and has held on through all of the changes of the school, students and time. It's still a huge deal when you get your ring, and most students get it and continue to wear it daily after graduation.

http://www.aggienetwork.com/ring/history.aspx

This is a good link that will give you more info about the ring. The article about the making of the Aggie Ring is also very interesting.

Thanks for your interest!

Flying home from Spain to College Station by way of Dallas then Houston, my wife (also with her ring) and I were beginning to worry that after all of our careful planning, our delayed flight out of Madrid was going to cost us our Dallas connection, the last to Houston that day. We wouldn't be there to wake our daughter up for her first birthday.

When the inflight crew chief made his rounds for customs and to check on service, he immediately saw our rings, we talked a bit, got around to our situation and in short order we were the most attended passengers after first-class.

He was a popular guy in the cabin anyway, being the friendliest and most proactive person on a very stressful flight for everyone. But we really got the red carpet treatment. The rest of the crew was noticeably different after we first spoke with our Aggie friend.

All of this took our minds off of our problem a bit, though it didn't actually fix anything. Until he came back with word from the cockpit that while we would get to Houston sooner than what the screens were saying, we might not be there soon enough, but if we did wind up missing our flight "Here's my number, home and cell. If they can't get you to Houston tonight, call either of those. I'll drive you home myself." That is just my most recent Aggie Ring story.

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Short answer: Same reason Jews wear yamakas.

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I'm Jewish and I wear my Aggie ring more (everyday) than I do my yamulke.