The Official University of Texas
Class
Ring
"I know it was a proud moment for my parents, and it felt great to commemorate my time on the Forty Acres with my UT Ring. It is a symbol of all the hard work and the community I was proud to be a part of for three years."
Des'ree Flores, 2017
History & Traditions
1
On one side of the UT ring is a recognizable symbol: the University of Texas Tower. The Tower, which is made from Indiana limestone and rises 307 feet, was completed in 1936. It has become the defining landmark on the Forty Acres, ever present for decades of campus life.
History of the Ring
The University of Texas ring was designed in 1996 by a committee of UT students. The ring, rich in symbolism, is a lifelong emblem of UT pride. It embodies academic achievement at the university and is reserved exclusively for graduates and students who have completed at least 75 credit hours.
2
The top of the ring boasts a handsome version the University of Texas seal. The Latin motto, “Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis,” is a quote from former Republic of Texas President Mirabeau Lamar: “Education is the safeguard of democracy.”
How to Wear your Ring
While a student, the ring is properly worn with the Tower facing in, signifying it is close to your heart. Upon graduation, the ring should be worn with the Texas Exes symbol facing in.
3
Scrolled around the outside of the longhorn is the phrase, “The eyes of Texas are upon upon you.” The song titled “The Eyes of Texas” made its debut in 1903. UT student John Lang Sinclair first scrawled the words on a scrap of brown laundry paper that is now on display in the Alumni Center.
4
The longhorn is the mascot of the university. Associated with Texas and the West, the longhorn is a symbol of strength and determination. Bevo, the first live longhorn mascot, made his first appearance in 1916.
5
Above the longhorn is the Texas Exes symbol. It was first used in 1967 to “brand” ex-students of the university returning to campus for an annual reunion known as Round-Up. On the ring, it signifies that the wearer is linked to generations of University of Texas graduates.
Student Connection
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
Spring 2018 Ring Celebration
Friday, April 27 • 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
Invitations and additional details will be sent via email.
Stories
Kenzi Kaplan, January 2017
“Getting my ring was a milestone in my college career. It proved that all of the stress, sleepless nights, and tears were finally paying off and I was one step closer to graduation. Many people said I would never get into Texas because I was an out-of-state student, but I kept trying because my mom and grandma never let me give up. They both flew down from Colorado to watch me get my ring and it was a great experience!”
Sarah González, January 2017
“My family and I moved to the U.S. from Mexico when I was 12 years-old. We feel strongly about education. I have always loved learning and my curiosity took me down the long road of pursuing my bachelor's degree.
When my grandfather passed, I asked my mom if I could keep his medical school ring. I always saw school rings as a family tradition and a symbol of accomplishment. She agreed.
I never got my high-school ring but I knew I wanted to get my college ring. I went to community college for my basics and for cosmetology. When I transferred to UT, I was studying Neuroscience and instead of doing UTeach I decided to move to the College of Education. I always worked really hard to keep my GPA up and, since I loved learning, I always loved going to class. I’ve sacrificed a lot over the past seven years in order to get an education. While a lot of people would feel embarrassed about taking that long to earn a bachelor's degree, I take great pride in the entire experience. Being an immigrant from Mexico and knowing how much my parents gave up so that I could have these opportunities makes me value my education even more.
I'm getting ready to wrap up my degree in Bilingual Education. I see my completion of the degree as the combined efforts of not only myself but also my family, my classmates, my professors, and all the activists who advocated for minorities. God's grace has allowed me to get through it all.”
Clay Hodges, January 2017
“The Ring Celebration was significant both for me and my family. I’m a third generation Longhorn and all my life I have dreamed of getting my own UT ring. One of my favorite memories from when I was a little boy is sitting on my grandfather's lap and admiring his ring from 1949. I would ask to wear his ‘Bevo ring’ and try it on—it was so large that I could put it on three of my fingers. The engravings on the side had been smoothed down from years of wear, but the Bevo head was easily distinguishable. PaDad would sit and rock me and tell me stories of his years as a student at UT, mostly about football or baseball legends and big wins. He always said if I worked hard, made good grades and good decisions in school, one day I could be a Longhorn and have my very own Bevo ring.
In addition to my grandfather, my father is also a UT graduate. He earned his ring in 1985 and wore it proudly every day until 2010 when he lost it. He searched everywhere but never found it. He always hoped that it would somehow miraculously be returned, but that was never the case.
My grandfather passed away in 2005 and his treasured class ring became my dad's. He was happy wearing his father's ring, although he would occasionally comment that he missed "his" ring.
I have always dreamed of being a Longhorn. I applied to only one school: The University of Texas at Austin. Just as my grandfather had promised, I worked hard, made good grades and good decisions and the day my official acceptance came in was one of the happiest days of my life. I began as a freshman in August of 2014 and the years here have flown by! It was surreal to think that I had earned enough credits to get my own class ring, but in the fall of 2016, I made my way to the Alumni Center to place my order. One of the sales representatives asked if I wanted to buy the replacement ring insurance that would cover the cost of my ring if it was ever lost or stolen. That made me think about how special it would be to order a replacement ring for my Dad. I called my Mom and she agreed, so the order was placed.
My parents and grandmother came to Austin for the Ring Celebration. I remember being emotional as my parents gave me my ring, hearing my Dad say how proud he was of me and how he knew PaDad would also be proud of this accomplishment. We posed for a few photos and then it was time to surprise my father! My mom took my dad's right hand and removed PaDad's ring just as I opened the box to reveal an exact replica of his missing 1985 ring. Dad looked so surprised! It was a moment I will always remember.
PaDad's ring is back in the jewelry box now but we still take it out to admire the detail and to remember the wonderful man who used to wear it. It’s a special family heirloom that represents three generations of proud Longhorns.”
Destiny Ramirez, January 2017
“Receiving my UT ring is my biggest accomplishment thus far. As a third generation Mexican-American who was at risk of dropping out of high school and much more, I worked diligently to earn this moment! The best part of receiving my ring was when my grandpa put it on my finger. He's the reason I am here and has always told me sigue echandole ganas.”
Masen Huddleston, January 2017
“As a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, the Ring Celebration is the last step before graduation. For my mom, it was a change from Baylor green and yellow to UT orange and white! But, we had to get a few rivalry pictures in before we made it to the exit! For my dad, it was a passing of the torch. As an avid UT fan, he couldn’t have been more proud for one of his five children to attend UT. For me, it was a day to recognize how far I’ve come and to officially identify myself as a UT Longhorn. While I know I have a year left, seeing this ring every day is a reminder of the great family that I have and the family that I will be invited into when I graduate, the Texas Exes. Hook ‘Em Forever!”
Frequently Asked Questions
♦ How many completed credit hours do I need to order my ring?
All undergraduates must have 75 completed hours toward their degree to be eligible to purchase a class ring. All hours currently in progress will not be counted toward the total hour count.
♦ How many credit hours are required for graduate students?
All graduate students must have 16 completed hours toward their degree to be eligible to purchase a class ring.
♦ Do all my credits hours have to be UT credit hours?
All hours that count toward your degree—whether earned at UT or transferred in—will count toward the 75 completed hours needed to order your ring.
♦ How long does it take to order a ring during Ring Week?
On average, it can take about 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish to order your ring on-site during Ring Week. You are more than welcome to come one day and return later in the week to make your final purchase, or purchase from home by following this link.
♦ Can I still order my ring if I can’t make it to Ring Week?
Yes, you do not have to be present at the event to order your ring. All rings can be ordered online here!
♦ Are there payment plan options available?
Yes, Balfour offers a three-month payment plan option for ring purchases. Please speak with a Balfour represntative when ordering your ring to get set up with a payment plan.
♦ I listed my home address with my order. Does that mean my ring won’t be here for the Ring Celebration?
All rings will be shipped to Texas Exes to be included with the Ring Celebration group. If you have any questions about this please contact lewis.hall@texasexes.org.
♦ When will the Ring Celebration be held this semester?
Spring 2018 Ring Celebration will be held on Friday, April 27, 2018 from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM. Invitations and additional details will be sent via email.
♦ I am a Texas Exes Four-Year Student Life member. How do I redeem my discount?
To redeem your discount, enter your EID in the promo box when placing your order. If you have any issues, please contact lewis.hall@texasexes.org.