Monday, October 04, 2010

Class of '64



Most college graduates have proud memories of their alma mater and each probably has at least one story to tell about those days gone by which connects them to their respective universities. Recently I noticed that more than 3000 students received their Aggie Rings in September during 'Ring Day' at Texas A&M. The Aggie Ring is the most visible symbol of the Aggie Network that connects Aggies around the world. Every Aggie has his/her own story about their Aggie Ring, and if all my Texas Tech friends, including my own son, TT grad Chad, will spare me...here is mine.

I may leave home without my watch or wallet but never without my Aggie Ring.

Countless times I have been among droves of strangers and almost every time, if I really pay attention, without fail, I can spot an Aggie Ring in the crowd. In addition, countless times, I have been approached by a complete stranger who inquires, after noticing my Aggie Ring, what year I graduated from Texas A&M. This unique band of gold is the most recognized symbol of Texas A&M University and is the ultimate embodiment of the tradition and history that is so deeply rooted in the Aggie Spirit.

My own 'Ring Day' was one of the most important milestones in my young life; perhaps even more so than the day I walked the stage at Reed Arena. I well remember the day the Registrar's Office notified me that I had accumulated 92 hours hours of college credit (magic number for Senior status and Aggie Ring elgibility). I immediately called my parents and lobbied mightily for the money to order my senior ring.

That summer of 1963 I waited impatiently for the news to come that my ring had been shipped, and when it came I was camped out at the Colorado City US Post Office at sun-up for five straight days until the parcel finally arrived. I opened the maroon box and there it was, the exact symbol that I had been so aware of on other student's fingers that announced, Wow, he's (girls weren't at A&M yet...darn) a senior at Texas A&M University.

The Aggie Ring, first introduced in 1889, seems to be the ultimate goal of every Aggie that sets foot on A&M's campus, sometimes even more so than their diploma. The current ring was redesigned in 1894 and has had the same basic design for every Aggie owner since, the only change being the Class year, mine being 1964. Ironically made in Austin, Texas, Texas A&M University is Balfour's largest client, crafting almost 10,000 Aggie Rings per year, four times as many as Notre Dame, A&M's closest competitor.

For anyone having a Texas A&M connection, if you have never had the opportunity to visit the Clayton W. Williams, Jr. Alumni Center to view the expansive ring collections, I highly suggest you add it to your bucket list. One collection that begins with the Class of 1899 has a former student's single ring donated and displayed for each year since to present. The only exception being the Class of '95; where there are two rings displayed togather, a husband and wife who died in an automobile accident.

Behind every Aggie Ring is an incredible story to be told. While my own 'original' Aggie Ring was somehow lost in 1978 (requiring an immediate replacement) I was touched by the story of Bob Palmer '69, who lost his Aggie Ring while serving in Vietnam. After returning home from his tour, he made a trip to College Station to replace his ring. Sometime later, he received a letter from The Association of Former Students that his original Aggie Ring had been returned. It seems another Aggie had noticed a man wearing an A&M ring and asked the year he had graduated. The fellow replied he had never attended Texas A&M and had bought the ring from a Vietnamese maid. The Aggie reimbursed him for the ring and returned it to the Former Students Association.

It's hard to explain to an outsider the significance of the Aggie Ring, that gold band that so adamantly ties each of us to one another; but as Bob Palmer so aptly put it, 'that my ring found its way home is not astonishing to Aggies.'

Many who have not experienced a bond to Texas A&M are baffled by the loyalty and camaraderie we have for our fellow Aggies long after we step foot off campus, but as every Aggie knows, 'From the outside looking in you can't understand it, from the inside looking out you can't explain it'.

It's been almost 47 years since the day I slipped on that prestigious band of gold; but hardly a day goes by that I don't remember the classmates, laughter, 'good bull' and the spirit that filled my years at Texas A&M.

As the memories of my own history at A&M unfold in my mind, once again, emotions begin to flood my soul, knowing no matter where or how far I may go , I will forever be linked through this unique ring of gold on my right hand.

And when I soon return to the sacred grounds of my old alma mater, Texas A&M University... with young grand kids in tow toward Kyle Field...there amongst a sea of gold rings...I'll feel right at home.