Put a Ring on It: Longhorns Receive Official UT Class Rings

By Jordan Schraeder in Special, TXEX on April 18, 2013 at 12:26 pm | No Comments

When the final bars of “The Eyes of Texas” concluded in the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center last night, it became official: 540 future Texas Exes are now sporting the ultimate symbol of academic achievement on the Forty Acres, the UT class ring.

For 85 years, UT class rings have kept Longhorns connected to UT long after they leave campus. At this week’s three Class Ring Presentation Ceremonies, current juniors and seniors became part of the long-lasting tradition.

“When you leave the Forty Acres—no matter how far you go or how long before you return—your ring will be a lifelong reminder that this is your place,” said Wendy Wheless, Texas Exes vice president of marketing and business development, to the crowd at Monday’s ceremony. “It is a visible, tangible connection not only to the University, but also to more than 450,000 alumni worldwide.”

The ceremonies also featured speeches from UT superstars like Gage Paine, vice president for student affairs, and Soncia Reagins-Lilly, UT’s dean of students.

Two special guests were also on-hand to receive their rings this week—including none other than National Championship-winning former Longhorn quarterback Vince Young, who’s back on campus finishing up his degree.

The other honored guest was UT senior Evan Rowley, this year’s recipient of the Spirit and Traditions Council Ring Scholarship. Rowley was chosen, through an application process, by the STC executive team for his active role in the UT community. Currently, he’s a member of the Longhorn Band, Texas 4000, the Tejas Club, the Texas Blazers, and he also serves as one of UT’s Hook ‘Em mascots.

“They told me I was this year’s ring recipient a couple months ago, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting the ceremony,” Rowley says. “I’m super proud to finally have my class ring. It’s a hallmark of my time at UT that I can carry with me at all times.”

Each of the three ceremonies ended the same way, in appropriate Longhorn fashion. All 1,500 attendees stood, proudly tossed up their horns, and sang “The Eyes of Texas” in unison. And more than 500 new Texas Exes were born.

Top, a fall 2012 Class Ring Presentation Ceremony. Photo by Matt Valentine.
Bottom, Soncia Reagins-Lilly and Vince Young.